Damon Mcknight
Australia is a large country with a small population. As of 11 July 2025, Australia's population is estimated to be 27,923,100, making it the 54th most populous country in the world. Australia's population density is low, at 3.4 people per square kilometre as of June 2022. This is due to a combination of factors, including the country's vast and arid land, the displacement and mistreatment of Aboriginal peoples, and the concentration of its population in urban areas along the coast. Australia's unique demographic characteristics have puzzled demographers and experts for years, and the country's low population density has implications for urban sustainability and the preservation of natural landscapes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 27,923,100 as of 11 July 2025 |
| Population Density | 3.6 persons per square kilometre as of June 2022 |
| Population Distribution | Concentrated in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern seaboards |
| Indigenous Population | Between 315,000 and 1,100,000 at the time of British colonisation in 1788 |
| Immigration | Significant waves of immigration from Europe, China, and Germany |
| Ageing Population | Attracting migrants to maintain economically active population |
| Extreme Geography | Isolated towns and cities, limited water sources, arid land |
| Water Resources | More renewable freshwater than Japan, Mexico, and Pakistan |
| Economy | 13th largest global economy |
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What You'll Learn
- Australia's population density is 3.4 people per square kilometre
- The country's interior is arid and presents difficult living conditions
- Australia's population is concentrated in urban areas
- The population is ageing, so the country is attracting migrants
- Australia's population is expected to exceed 30 million by 2029
Australia's population density is 3.4 people per square kilometre
A large chunk of Australia is uninhabitable or inhospitable, with the interior and west of the country being mostly desert. This makes human settlements challenging due to extreme conditions. In addition, Australia's isolated towns and cities, and limited water sources contribute to its low population density. Despite its sparse population, Australia is the 54th most populous country in the world and the most populous Oceanian country, with a total population of 27,923,100 as of July 2025.
Most of Australia's population is concentrated in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern seaboards. The country's five biggest cities, including their suburbs, have a population of over one million people each. Melbourne's inner city has the highest population density in Australia at 22,400 people per square kilometre. Potts Point and Pyrmont, both in Sydney's inner city, have the second-highest population density at 16,700 and 16,500 people per square kilometre, respectively.
While Australia's major cities have population densities comparable to other Western countries, the overall population density is low due to the large amount of empty space in the middle of the country. This has led to a unique demographic situation, with a high concentration of people in certain areas and very few people in others. This has implications for urban planning, sustainability, and the quality of life for citizens.
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The country's interior is arid and presents difficult living conditions
Australia is the 54th most populous country in the world, with a population of around 27.9 million as of July 2025. It is the most populous country in Oceania. However, its population density is incredibly low, at 3.6 people per square kilometre as of June 2022. This makes it the third least densely populated country in the world, after Namibia and Mongolia.
The country's low population density is largely due to its arid and inhospitable interior, also known as the outback. The interior and west of Australia are mostly desert, which makes human settlement challenging due to the harsh living conditions. The population is therefore concentrated in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern seaboards. The four most populous cities in Australia, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra, are all located in these regions.
The country's extreme geography, isolated towns and cities, and limited water sources also contribute to the challenging living conditions in the interior. Cape York, for example, is one of the most remote places in Australia and is situated at the tip of a peninsula. It is almost 1,800 miles from the state capital, Brisbane, and can only be reached by a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Despite its arid interior, Australia exports enough food to feed 70 million people. Some have suggested that the country could support a much larger population with the implementation of water pipelines and irrigation schemes. However, others argue that this would be unsustainable, especially during the country's regular droughts.
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Australia's population is concentrated in urban areas
As of 2020, Australia's population was over 25.6 million, with 76% living in major cities. The major cities grew by 20% between 2010 and 2020, accounting for 84% of the nation's total population growth during that period. The capital cities have been growing faster than regional areas, with the share of the population living in the eight capital cities increasing by 3% over the past 30 years to 68% in 2023-24. The two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, are home to 40% of the population.
There are several reasons why Australia's population is concentrated in urban areas. One factor is the country's geography, as much of Australia is uninhabitable or inhospitable desert. The urban population growth is also driven by net overseas migration, which has contributed more to population growth than natural increase in recent years. Lifestyle preferences have also influenced the trend, with many Australians seeking to live closer to entertainment, retail activities, and their workplaces.
The urban environment in Australia varies in size, ranging from global cities to small remote settlements. The country has more than 1,853 urban environments, including eight capital cities and 18 cities with over 100,000 residents. Smaller urban areas, some home to Indigenous peoples, may have fewer than 200 people.
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The population is ageing, so the country is attracting migrants
Australia's population is estimated to be 27,923,100 as of 11 July 2025, making it the 54th most populous country in the world and the most populous country in Oceania. Its population density is 3.6 persons per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world.
The country's population is ageing, with the median age of the Australian-born population gradually increasing over time to 34 years as of 30 June 2020. In contrast, the median age of the overseas-born population has decreased over the past decade, with a small increase to 44 years recorded in 2020. The decrease in the median age of the overseas-born population has slowed the ageing of the total population.
To address the ageing population, Australia has been attracting migrants, with a recorded 7.6 million migrants in 2020, comprising 29.8% of the population. The country's immigration process has been described as tedious, even for skilled, educated, and qualified applicants. However, migration has had a positive impact on the age structure of Australia. The size of the older population will be influenced by younger migrant cohorts moving into the 65+ age group over time.
While the impact of migration on population ageing is significant, it is more pronounced in the short term. Net international migration above the age of 45 is relatively low, so migration has little impact on projections for at least the first 20 years. As a result, projections of the population aged 65+ become less reliable in the long term due to the uncertainty surrounding the future growth of overseas-born childhood and younger adult populations.
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Australia's population is expected to exceed 30 million by 2029
Australia is the 54th most populous country in the world, with a population of 27,923,100 as of 11 July 2025. It is the most populous country in Oceania. The population is expected to exceed 30 million by 2029, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
The population of Australia has grown significantly since British colonisation in 1788, when the population was estimated to be between 300,000 and 2,400,000 Indigenous Australians. The Indigenous population at that time was divided into many tribes, speaking a multitude of different languages. The first humans are thought to have migrated to Australia around 65,000 years ago, most likely from the islands of Indonesia and New Guinea.
The population growth since colonisation is due to numerous waves of immigration, particularly from Europe. The European share of the population rose sharply in the late 18th and 19th centuries due to immigration, but this percentage is now declining. In the decades after the Second World War, Australia experienced a large wave of immigration from across Europe, particularly Southern and Eastern Europe.
Despite its relatively small population, Australia is the 13th largest global economy. This is due in part to its large exports of food, enough to feed 70 million people. Australia's population is concentrated mainly in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern coastlines. The median age of the Australian population is also a factor in its economic success.
The projected population increase is based on assumptions of future levels of fertility, life expectancy, and migration, which are guided by recent population trends. The ABS released three projections, with the lowest projection reaching 30 million by 2033. The medium-growth projection predicts a population of 42 million by 2066, with a higher life expectancy and migration rate.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 11 July 2025, Australia's population is estimated to be 27,923,100.
Australia is the 54th most populous country in the world, with a population density of 3.4/km2 (8.8/sq mi) as of June 2022. This makes it the third least densely populated country in the world. Therefore, compared to other countries, Australia's population could be considered small relative to its land mass.
Australia's sparse population is due to its vast and arid land, as well as historical factors such as the displacement and mistreatment of Aboriginal peoples. Australia's interior is largely desert, which makes human settlement challenging.
Most of Australia's population lives along the coast in the biggest cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra.
Australia has sought to attract more migrants to maintain the percentage of its economically active population, as the country has experienced an aging population.
