Lexi Webster
Australia's physical geography has had a significant impact on its population density. As the 6th largest nation in the world in terms of physical area, Australia has a remarkably low population density of 3.3 to 3.6 people per square kilometre as of June 2020. This is due to a variety of factors, including the country's geography, climate, infrastructure, and economic opportunities. The majority of Australia's population is concentrated in urban areas, particularly on the eastern, southeastern, and southern coasts, with major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane experiencing rapid population growth due to migration and urbanisation. In contrast, the country's interior, known as the Outback, is largely desert and presents challenging living conditions, resulting in a low population density in these regions. The impact of physical geography on population density is evident in the distribution of people within Australia, influencing housing, transportation, social services, and economic development.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population density | 3.4-3.6 people per square kilometre |
| World ranking | 6th largest nation in the world in terms of physical area; 54th most populous country in the world; 3rd least densely populated country in the world |
| Population | 27,923,100 |
| Population concentration | 95% of the population lives within 100 km of the coast; 85% of the population live in urban areas |
| Major cities | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth |
| Population density in major cities | Melbourne's inner city has Australia's highest population density at 22,400 people per square kilometre |
| Population growth | Expected to exceed 30 million by 2029 |
| Population growth factors | Migration, urbanization, rural-urban migration, natural increase |
| Climate | Australia is the world's driest inhabited continent; increase in extreme heat and heavy rainfall events; longer bushfire seasons; reduced rainfall from April to October in southern Australia; increased rainfall in northern Australia |
| Ecosystems | 89 regions and 419 subregions are recognised in the Australian bioregion framework |
| Landscape | Flat, with no major mountain building, active volcanoes, or tectonic faults |
| Infrastructure | High population density can make it difficult to provide services and infrastructure to remote areas |
| Economic growth | High population density can limit economic growth and development |
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What You'll Learn
- The Australian Outback is largely desert, making it uninhabitable
- Most of the population is concentrated on the coastal fringes
- Urbanisation and rural-urban migration are major drivers of population density shifts
- Australia's physical geography has resulted in a centralised urban pattern
- The country's landscape history is distinct from that of Europe and North America
The Australian Outback is largely desert, making it uninhabitable
Australia is the 6th largest nation in the world in terms of physical area, but its population density is incredibly low. As of June 2022, the population density of Australia was 3.4 people per square kilometre, making it the third least densely populated country in the world. Its population is concentrated mainly in urban areas, particularly on the eastern, southeastern, and southern seaboards.
The Australian Outback, a vast remote area in the centre of Australia, is largely desert and almost entirely uninhabited. It is dry, arid, and hot during the summer, with temperatures dropping to freezing levels at night in the winter. The Outback is home to a diverse set of animal species, including kangaroos, emus, and dingoes. The marginally fertile parts are primarily used as rangelands for sheep or cattle grazing. The largest industry across the Outback is pastoralism, in which livestock are grazed in mostly intact, natural ecosystems.
The low human population density and largely intact natural environment of the Outback have made it an important natural attraction, with tourism a major industry in the region. However, the Outback presents extremely difficult living conditions, contributing to the low overall population density of Australia.
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Most of the population is concentrated on the coastal fringes
Australia's population density is low, with about 3.5 inhabitants per square kilometre, making it one of the least densely populated countries in the world. The country's interior is largely desert, making living conditions extremely difficult. This has resulted in a high concentration of the population in cities along the temperate coastlines, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern seaboards.
The physical geography of Australia has played a significant role in shaping the country's centralised urban pattern. The rugged and arid environment of the interior provides few locations suitable for large urban settlements. In contrast, the coastal regions offer more favourable conditions, including access to ports, favourable climates, and an abundance of natural resources.
Historically, the focus of European settlement was on the eastern shores of Australia, where British sea captain James Cook's exploration revealed several attractive locations for towns and cities. The development of these coastal areas into major cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, was further propelled by their access to useful ports. These cities have since experienced rapid population growth due to migration and urbanisation, with approximately 85% of Australia's population now living in urban areas.
The concentration of the population in these coastal cities has had several implications. Firstly, it has resulted in a higher population density within these urban centres, with Melbourne's inner city having Australia's highest population density at 22,400 people per square kilometre. Secondly, the influx of people has led to the expansion of city boundaries and the need for increased housing, infrastructure, and social services. Lastly, the high population density in these areas has also resulted in a reduction of green spaces, impacting the natural landscapes.
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Urbanisation and rural-urban migration are major drivers of population density shifts
Australia's population density is low compared to other countries. As of June 2022, it was reported as 3.4/km2 (8.8/sq mi), making it the third least densely populated country worldwide. This is due to the country's physical geography, with most of its interior being desert and presenting challenging living conditions. However, urbanisation and rural-urban migration have significantly impacted population density shifts within Australia.
Urbanisation refers to the process of people moving from rural areas to cities, and it is a significant driver of population density shifts in Australia. The country is highly urbanised, with approximately 85% of its population residing in urban areas. This has led to increased population densities in cities and metropolitan regions, particularly in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. These regions offer favourable climates, access to resources, and economic opportunities, attracting people from rural areas and contributing to higher population densities.
Rural-urban migration has had a significant impact on population density shifts in Australia. Historically, migration from Europe and Asia has contributed to population growth in urban areas, particularly in cities like Sydney and Melbourne. As more people move into cities, the demand for housing increases, leading to the development of apartment buildings and the loss of green spaces. Rural-urban migration also has implications for transportation, social services, and regional planning. For example, as the population density increases in a city, there may be a need for more buses, trains, and police stations to cater to the growing population.
The shift in population density due to urbanisation and rural-urban migration has impacted employment patterns in Australia. As the urban population share increases, employment tends to shift from agriculture towards industry, manufacturing, or service sectors. This structural transformation process is a typical consequence of urbanisation, and it leads to a decline in agricultural employment.
Additionally, demographic changes, such as declining birth rates and aging populations, have also contributed to shifts in population density patterns. Older individuals tend to live in smaller households or retirement communities, leading to lower population densities in certain areas. These factors, combined with urbanisation and rural-urban migration, have resulted in regional variations in population density across Australia.
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Australia's physical geography has resulted in a centralised urban pattern
The centralised urban pattern in Australia is further influenced by the country's history of colonisation and urbanisation. Since the arrival of British Captain James Cook in 1770, the focus of European settlement has been on the eastern coast of Australia. The development of port towns into major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane has contributed to the centralised population distribution. Additionally, urbanisation, or the movement of people from rural to urban areas, has led to higher population densities in these cities.
The physical geography of Australia also plays a role in the country's centralised urban pattern. The rugged interior of the country offers limited locations for large urban settlements. Instead, the central regions are predominantly used for sheep and cattle ranching, with livestock outnumbering the human population. Australia's geographic isolation has also contributed to its unique ecosystems and diverse landscapes, including tropical rainforests along the coast and deserts in the interior.
The combination of historical factors, urbanisation, and physical geography has resulted in a centralised urban pattern in Australia. The country exhibits significant regional variations in population density, with the majority of the population concentrated in a small number of cities along the coast. This distribution has implications for housing, transportation, and social services, as well as environmental considerations.
In summary, Australia's physical geography, particularly the challenging desert interior, has influenced the development of a centralised urban pattern. This pattern has been further shaped by historical colonisation patterns and the process of urbanisation, resulting in a high concentration of the population in a small number of coastal cities.
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The country's landscape history is distinct from that of Europe and North America
Australia's landscape history is distinct from that of Europe and North America. The Australian continent is one of the oldest in the world, with most of the rocks that form its foundation dating back to the Precambrian and Paleozoic eras, around 4.6 billion to 252 million years ago. This gives Australia the nickname "the Oldest Continent".
While the landscapes of Europe and North America have been significantly influenced by events since the last Ice Age, around 25,000 years ago, Australia's landscape has remained relatively unchanged over a much longer period. This is due to its geographic isolation, which has also resulted in Australia having a diverse range of unique ecosystems and wildlife.
The physical geography of Australia has played a significant role in shaping its population density. The country's interior, known as the Outback, is largely desert or semi-arid, making it unsuitable for large urban settlements. As a result, the majority of Australia's population is concentrated in coastal cities, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern, and Southern seaboards. This has led to a unique centralized urban pattern, with around three-fourths of urban Australians living in just five cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.
The population density of Australia is low compared to other countries, with an average of 3.3 to 3.6 people per square kilometre. This is due to the vast, sparsely populated interior, which contrasts with the higher population densities in the major cities. The Australian government and councils need to consider the population density to plan and manage infrastructure, transportation, and social services effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
As of June 2022, Australia's population density was 3.4 people per square kilometre or 3.5 inhabitants per square kilometre. This makes Australia one of the least densely populated countries in the world.
Australia's population density is low because most of the country's interior is desert, also known as the Outback, and presents difficult living conditions. About 95% of the population lives within 100 km of the coast.
The biggest cities in Australia such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane have a much higher population density than the rest of the country. Melbourne's inner city has Australia's highest population density at 22,400 people per square kilometre.
A low population density allows for a high quality of life and easier access to natural resources.
A sparse population can make it difficult to provide services and infrastructure to remote areas, and it can also limit economic growth and development.
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