Leslie Massey
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a large country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. With a land area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles), it is the sixth-largest country in the world and the largest in Oceania. Australia's population is almost 28 million, with a median age of 38.3 years. The country has one of the highest foreign-born populations in the world, with 31.5% of its residents born outside of Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total land area | 7,688,287 km2 (2,968,464 sq mi) |
| World ranking by size | 6th largest country |
| Oceania ranking by size | Largest country |
| Population | 23,335,357 (2025) |
| World ranking by population | 55th |
| Population density | 3.5-4 inhabitants per square kilometre |
| Urban population | 86.51% |
| Average age | 38.3-39 years |
| Climate | Wet tropical in the northeast and northwest; arid in the centre; temperate and humid in the coastal south |
| Major river system | Murray-Darling |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is the sixth-largest country
The country is highly urbanised, with 86.51% of its population living in urban areas. The majority of the population is concentrated on the coastal fringes, with about 95% living within 100 kilometres of the coast. The population density in Australia is low, at 3.5 to 4 inhabitants per square kilometre, resulting in a total population of around 25 million people. As of 2021, the average age of the population was 39 years.
Australia's landscape is diverse, ranging from wet tropical regions in the northeast and northwest to arid areas in the centre. The coastal south is temperate and humid, with winter freezing and snow in the southeastern highlands and Tasmania. The country's position in the "'horse latitudes'" contributes to arid conditions, and about 70% of the country is arid or semi-arid, with about 18% classified as desert.
Australia's rivers have the lowest discharge into the sea of any continent, and the mainland's flat and arid profile makes its rivers slow-moving, leading to salt build-up on the land. This salinisation adversely affects the soil, which is already relatively poor in nutrients compared to world standards. The Murray-Darling is the major river system, draining most of inland New South Wales and Southern Queensland towards Lake Alexandrina and the sea in South Australia.
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7,688,287 sq km or 2,968,464 sq mi
Australia is officially the Commonwealth of Australia, and it is a large country, constituting the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It has a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres or 2,968,464 square miles, making it the sixth-largest country in the world and the largest in Oceania.
Australia's land area accounts for just five percent of the world's land area, and although it is the smallest continental land mass, it is the world's largest island. Australia is about the same size as continental USA, with a land area of 2.989 million square miles compared to the US land area of 3.797 million square miles.
The country is highly urbanised, with 67% of the population living in metropolitan areas in 2018. The population density in Australia is 3.5 to 4 inhabitants per square kilometre, which is one of the lowest in the world. About 95% of the population lives within 100 km of the coast, and the majority of the population lives near coastlines. The median age in Australia is around 38 to 39 years.
Australia has a diverse climate, ranging from wet tropical in the northeast and northwest to arid in the centre. The coastal south is temperate and humid, with winter freezing and snow in the southeastern highlands and Tasmania. The Australian mainland is the driest inhabited continent, with an average annual rainfall of 470 millimetres. About 70% of the country is arid or semi-arid, and approximately 18% is desert.
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3.5 to 4 inhabitants per sq km
Australia is a large country, with a land area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (or 2,968,464 square miles). This makes it the sixth-largest country in the world and the largest in Oceania. However, despite its vast size, Australia's population density is low, at around 3.5 to 4 inhabitants per square kilometre. This is due in part to the country's geography and climate. Australia is the world's flattest and driest inhabited continent, with an average annual rainfall of just 470 millimetres. About 70% of the country is arid or semi-arid, and about 18% is desert.
The majority of Australia's population is concentrated on the coastal fringes, with about 95% of people living within 100 kilometres of the coast. The country is highly urbanised, with 67% of the population living in metropolitan areas in 2018. The capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide all have populations of over one million. Population density in central Melbourne, for example, exceeds 38 inhabitants per square kilometre.
Australia's climate varies from wet tropical in the northeast and northwest to arid in the centre. The coastal south is temperate and humid, with winter freezing and snow in the southeastern highlands and Tasmania. The climate is influenced by Australia's position in the "'horse latitudes", which brings arid conditions. The country's isolation and low relief are also notable characteristics of its landscape.
Australia's population is equivalent to 0.33% of the total world population, and it ranks 55th in terms of population size. The median age in Australia is around 38 to 39 years, and the country is experiencing a demographic shift towards an older population, with more retirees and fewer people of working age.
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86.51% of the population is urban
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles). It is the largest country in Oceania and the world's largest island. Australia's population is approximately 0.33% of the world total, with a median age of 38.3 years.
The country is highly urbanised, with 86.51% of the population living in urban areas. This equates to 23,335,357 people in 2025. The population density across Australia is low, at 3.5 to 4 inhabitants per square kilometre, but this varies significantly across the country. The majority of the population lives near coastlines, with 95% of people living within 100 km of the coast. Metropolitan areas with more than one million inhabitants include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.
The concentration of people in cities is particularly notable along the temperate south-eastern coastline, where the population density in central Melbourne exceeds 38 inhabitants per square kilometre. This urbanisation trend is also reflected in the demographic shift towards an older population, with more retirees and fewer people of working age.
Australia's large land area and relatively small population present unique challenges for travel and infrastructure. The vast distances between destinations require careful trip planning, as the frequency of flights, ferries, trains, and buses may be limited.
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Australia is the driest inhabited continent
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles). Despite its size, the country is highly urbanised, with 67% of its population living in metropolitan areas in 2018. The majority of the population is concentrated on the coastal fringes, with about 95% living within 100 km of the coast. Australia's population density is 3.5 inhabitants per square kilometre, one of the lowest in the world.
The Murray-Darling is Australia's major river system, draining most of inland New South Wales and Southern Queensland towards Lake Alexandrina and the sea in South Australia. The mainland's flat, arid profile makes its rivers slow-moving, resulting in a build-up of salt on the land. This salinisation adversely affects Australia's soil, which is already poor in nutrients compared to world standards.
About 81% of Australia is defined as rangelands, known to most Australians as the Outback. The rangelands are home to many of Australia's Indigenous people and are culturally important. They extend across low rainfall and variable climates, including arid, semi-arid, and some seasonally high rainfall areas. The rangelands include diverse ecosystems such as tropical savannas, woodlands, shrublands, and grasslands.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles). It accounts for just 5% of the world's land area.
Australia's population is equivalent to 0.33% of the total world population. In 2025, the population was estimated to be 23,335,357, with a median age of 38.3 years.
The majority of Australia's population lives in urban areas near coastlines. About 95% of the population lives within 100 km of the coast, and the population density exceeds 38 inhabitants per square kilometre in central Melbourne.
