Leslie Massey
Australia's population is estimated to be around 27 million people as of 2025, with a density of 3.6 people per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. The population is concentrated in urban areas, particularly on the eastern, south-eastern, and southern seaboards. Australia is a diverse country, with over 270 ethnic groups and a significant proportion of the population being foreign-born. The country has experienced waves of immigration, with the majority of settlers and immigrants arriving from the British Isles until the Second World War, followed by large waves of immigration from Europe and Asia in the subsequent decades. The Indigenous Australian population, estimated to be between 300,000 and 2,400,000 at the time of British colonisation, currently makes up about 3% of the total population, with the majority living on the east coast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 26,974,026 (mid-2025) |
| Ethnic groups | More than 270 |
| European population | 72% (2021) |
| Non-European population | 23% (2021) |
| Aboriginal population | 3% (2021) |
| Languages | English (72%), Mandarin Chinese (2.7%), Arabic (1.4%), Vietnamese (1.3%), Cantonese (1.2%) |
| Indigenous languages | Over 250 at the time of first European contact; fewer than 20 in daily use |
| Indigenous population (at the time of British colonisation in 1788) | 300,000 to 2,400,000 |
| Indigenous population (2011 census) | 495,757 (Aboriginal), 31,407 (Torres Strait Islander), 21,206 (both) |
| Indigenous population concentration | Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, and Northern Territory |
| Population density | 4 per Km² (2025) |
| Median age | 38.3 years (2025) |
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What You'll Learn
- Australia's population is estimated to be 27,923,100 as of 11 July 2025
- The country is home to more than 270 ethnic groups
- English is the only language spoken in 72% of Australian homes
- The Indigenous population was estimated to be between 315,000 and 1,100,000 at the time of British colonisation
- Australia's population density is 3.6 persons per square kilometre
Australia's population is estimated to be 27,923,100 as of 11 July 2025
Today, Australia's population consists of more than 270 ethnic groups, a significant shift from the Anglo-Celtic dominance until the mid-20th century. The country's population is now diverse, with almost half of Australians having at least one parent born overseas. The European population is estimated at 72-76% of the total population, while the Aboriginal Australian population is around 3%. The remaining population includes significant groups from New Zealand, China, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.
Australia's population is highly urbanised, with 86.51% to 89% living in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern, and Southern seaboards. The country's five largest cities, including their suburbs, have populations exceeding one million. The median age of Australians is 38.3 years, with an ageing population reflected in the increasing percentage of people aged 65 and over, growing from 12% to 17% over the last three decades.
The population growth rate has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with net overseas migration, the primary driver of growth, affected by border restrictions. However, net overseas migration rebounded to a record high in 2022-23, contributing to the country's population increase. Australia's total fertility rate has declined, falling below the replacement level, with the number of deaths growing faster than births in recent years.
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The country is home to more than 270 ethnic groups
Australia is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups, with over 270 different groups represented in the country. This diversity is a result of numerous waves of immigration throughout its history, transforming the country's demographic landscape since the first half of the 20th century, when Australia was predominantly regarded as an Anglo-Celtic or British society.
The country's population has quadrupled since the end of World War I, largely due to immigration. Australia has the eighth-largest immigrant population in the world, with immigrants accounting for 30% of its population, a higher proportion than in any other nation with a population exceeding 10 million. This diversity is reflected in the variety of languages spoken within the country. While English is the most commonly spoken language, with 72% of households speaking it exclusively as of the 2021 census, other languages are also prevalent, including Mandarin Chinese (2.7%), Arabic (1.4%), Vietnamese (1.3%), and Cantonese (1.2%).
Historically, Australia's Indigenous population, which includes Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders, has played a significant role in shaping the country's ethnic landscape. Before European settlement, the Indigenous population was estimated to range from 300,000 to 1,100,000 people, with as many as 500 tribes speaking numerous languages. In the 2021 census, 3.2% of the Australian population identified as Indigenous, and their fertility rates have remained above replacement levels despite the nation's overall decline in fertility.
In addition to its Indigenous population, Australia has a significant European component, with estimates placing the European population at 72-76% in recent years. However, this proportion is declining, and a diverse range of non-European groups are now represented in the country, including New Zealanders, Chinese, and other Asian communities. The growth in the Aboriginal population has been outpaced by the increase in Australians born in Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, and the Philippines, contributing to the country's ethnic diversity.
While Australia no longer collects data on ethnicity in its census, focusing instead on ancestry, the country's cultural and ethnic diversity is undeniable. The Australian Standard Classification of Cultural and Ethnic Groups (ASCCEG) recognises the cultural identities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, as well as the emergence of a distinct Australian cultural identity since European settlement. This diversity extends beyond ethnicity, with Australia historically being a predominantly Christian country but now seeing a steady decrease in religious affiliation and an increase in the non-religious population.
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English is the only language spoken in 72% of Australian homes
Australia's population is estimated to be 27,923,100 as of 11 July 2025, and it is the 54th most populous country in the world. The population is concentrated mainly in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern seaboards, and is expected to exceed 30 million by 2029.
The country has witnessed a significant increase in its migrant population over the past decade, which has resulted in a decline in the number of people speaking only English at home. According to the 2021 census, English was the only language spoken in 72% of Australian homes. The remaining 28% of the population speaks a variety of other languages at home, with Mandarin Chinese (2.7%), Arabic (1.4%), Vietnamese (1.3%), and Cantonese (1.2%) being the most common languages spoken by this group.
The increase in the number of people who speak a language other than English at home is due to the country's multiculturalism and the rise in immigration. Between 2016 and 2021, the number of people who used a language other than English at home increased by 804,915 or 16.6%, while the number of people who used only English increased by 1,283,243 or 7.5%. This shift in language use can also be attributed to the fact that Australia has its own distinct variety of English, known as Australian English, which differs slightly from other varieties of English in grammar, spelling, accent, and lexicon.
The most widely spoken languages in Australia, apart from English, include Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Punjabi, Greek, Italian, and Hindi. Additionally, there are several Indigenous languages spoken across the country, with over 250 Australian Aboriginal languages thought to have existed before European contact. The National Indigenous Languages Survey (NILS) for 2018-19 found that more than 120 Indigenous language varieties were in use or being revived, with around 70 of those in daily use by all age groups. The Australian government has committed to promoting and preserving Indigenous languages, allocating funding to Indigenous Language Centres and programs in schools.
In summary, while English is the primary language used in Australia, with 72% of households speaking only English at home, the country also exhibits linguistic diversity due to its multicultural nature and historical immigration patterns. This diversity is reflected in the variety of Indigenous and foreign languages spoken by a significant portion of the population.
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The Indigenous population was estimated to be between 315,000 and 1,100,000 at the time of British colonisation
Australia's Indigenous population, consisting of the Aboriginal Australians and the Torres Strait Islanders, was estimated to be between 315,000 and 1,100,000 at the time of British colonisation. This wide range of estimates is due to the distribution of the Indigenous population across the continent, with the majority living in the southeast, centred along the Murray River. They were divided into many tribes, speaking as many as 250 different languages, with some languages only spoken by 50 to 100 people.
The British colonisation of Australia began in 1788 with the establishment of a penal colony at Botany Bay. This marked the start of a drastic decline in the Indigenous population due to introduced diseases, violent conflict, and competition over resources with European settlers. Smallpox, influenza, and measles were among the diseases that ravaged the Indigenous communities, as they had no resistance to them.
The colonisation process also disrupted the traditional ways of life and social structures of the Indigenous people. They faced massacres, frontier armed conflicts, and punitive expeditions, with estimates of Indigenous deaths in these conflicts varying widely. Additionally, the assumption of European cultural superiority and the implementation of policies like the "White Australia" policy further marginalised the Indigenous population.
Despite the challenges, the Indigenous population began to recover from the 1930s, and they founded organisations to advocate for their rights. They gained the right to vote in federal and state elections in the 1960s and secured the return of parts of their traditional lands. By 1995, their population numbers had reached pre-colonisation levels, and they continue to work towards self-determination and the preservation of their cultural heritage.
Today, the Indigenous population remains a vital part of Australia's diverse society, with ongoing efforts to address historical injustices and promote reconciliation.
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Australia's population density is 3.6 persons per square kilometre
Historically, Australia's population was regarded as homogeneous, with the majority of settlers and immigrants arriving from the British Isles until the mid-20th century. However, the demographic landscape has since shifted towards diversity, with significant waves of immigration from Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world. This has contributed to the presence of more than 270 ethnic groups in the country today.
The population density varies across different regions of Australia. The biggest cities, such as Sydney and Melbourne, have higher population densities. For example, Melbourne's inner city has Australia's highest population density at 22,400 people per square kilometre. Similarly, Potts Point and Pyrmont in Sydney's inner city have the second-highest population densities in the country, at 16,700 and 16,500 people per square kilometre, respectively.
On the other hand, certain areas within Australia have even lower population densities than the national average. For instance, Rokeby, Brighton-Pontville, and Longford have witnessed positive growth rates, with their population densities as of June 2021 recorded at 4.5%, 4.1%, and 3.6%, respectively. Canberra, the capital city, stands out with a significantly higher population density of 445.89 people per square kilometre.
The low population density across Australia's vast landmass translates into a dispersed population. This has implications for various aspects of life, including job opportunities, which tend to be more concentrated in bigger cities, especially for entry-level positions. Additionally, the distribution of the population influences the quality of life, with denser cities facing challenges such as increased pollution and reduced autonomy.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia does not have a homogeneous population. While it was regarded as a homogeneous country during the first half of the 20th century, it is now ethnically diverse, with more than 270 ethnic groups.
The population of Australia is estimated to be around 27 million as of 2025, with a median age of 38.3 years.
Australia is predominantly a country of European ancestry, with an estimated 72-76% of the population in 2021 and 2016, respectively. The non-European proportion was 21-23% during the same period, and the Aboriginal Australian population was around 3%.
English is the most widely spoken language in Australia, with 72% of the population speaking it at home as of the 2021 census. Other common languages include Mandarin Chinese (2.7%), Arabic (1.4%), Vietnamese (1.3%), and Cantonese (1.2%).
The Aboriginal population in Australia has grown, but it has been exceeded by the increase in the number of Australians born in Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. In the 2011 census, 495,757 respondents identified as Aboriginal, and most of Australia's Indigenous population lives on the east coast.
