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Australia's population has grown significantly over the past few decades, from 3.8 million in 1901 to around 25 million in 2021, with estimates ranging from 27 to 27.4 million in 2024. The population growth rate has averaged 1.4% per year since 1994, with net overseas migration being the main driver of this growth. Australia has a diverse population, with over 270 ethnic groups and a significant proportion of foreign-born residents, who make up around 30% of the total population. The country's population is concentrated in major cities, with three-quarters of people living in urban areas.
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What You'll Learn
Population growth
Australia's population has grown significantly over the past century. In 1901, the country's population was 3.8 million, and by 2021, it had increased to 25.7 million. As of 31 December 2024, Australia's population was estimated to be 27.4 million people, with an annual growth rate of 1.7%. The population is projected to reach between 34.3 and 45.9 million by 2071.
Several factors have contributed to Australia's population growth. One significant factor is immigration. Australia has experienced a large wave of immigration since World War II, particularly from Europe and Asia. In 2024, 8.6 million people in Australia, or 31.5% of the population, were born overseas. Net overseas migration contributed 340,800 people to the population between 2023 and 2024. Australia has the world's eighth-largest immigrant population, with immigrants accounting for 30% of the total population.
Another factor influencing population growth is the total fertility rate. In 2023, the total fertility rate for all Australian women was 1.50 births per woman, a decrease from the previous year. However, the fertility rate for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women was higher at 2.17 births per woman. The rate of natural increase, which is the difference between the birth rate and death rate, has fluctuated over time. It peaked at 17.4 per thousand population in 1912-1914 and declined during the Great Depression to 7.1 per thousand in 1934-1935. After World War II, the rate increased sharply due to the baby boom and immigration of young people. Since 1962, there has been a downward trend in the rate of natural increase due to falling fertility rates.
The demographic shift towards an older population is another notable aspect of Australia's population growth. The median age of the population has increased over time, with the average age reaching 39 years in 2021. The median age across capital cities is 37 years, with Darwin being the youngest at 34.6 years and Adelaide the oldest at 39.2 years.
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Language
Australia is a linguistically and culturally diverse country with a wide range of languages spoken across the nation. While Australia does not have an official language, English is considered the de facto national language and is the most widely spoken language in the country. English was introduced to Australia in 1788 with the arrival of British settlers and gradually became the majority language. Today, it is used as the only language in the home by around 72% of the population.
However, Australia is also home to a significant number of Indigenous languages, with around 120 to 170 still spoken today, including around 800 dialects. Many of these languages are endangered, but efforts are being made to preserve and revitalise them. The most widely spoken Indigenous languages include Kriol and Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole), with other distinctively Australian languages such as Auslan, Indigenous sign languages, and Norf'k-Pitcairn spoken on Norfolk Island. The 2021 census found that 76,978 Indigenous Australians spoke an Indigenous language at home, with Yumplatok, Kriol, Djambarrpuyngu, and Pitjantjatjara among the most commonly spoken.
In recent decades, Australia has experienced a sharp increase in immigration, particularly from Asia, leading to a growing number of community languages spoken in the country. In 2021, 5.8 million people (22.8% of the population) reported using a language other than English at home, an increase of 804,915 people since 2016. The most common of these languages are Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Punjabi, Greek, Italian, and Hindi. This increase in immigration has also contributed to the decline in the number of people speaking only English at home, with an increasing number of bilingual first and second-generation immigrants.
Australia's language landscape is thus characterised by a diverse range of Indigenous languages, the predominance of English as the de facto national language, and the growing presence of community languages brought by immigrant groups. The country's linguistic diversity reflects its multicultural nature and the ongoing evolution of its ethnolinguistic demographics.
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Religion
Australia is a highly secular country, with a significant proportion of its population reporting no religious affiliation. According to the 2021 census, 38.9% of Australians identified as having "no religion", a substantial increase from 15.5% in 2001. This trend towards secularism is reflected in the relatively low attendance rates at religious services. Despite this, Australia has a diverse religious landscape, with a variety of faiths practised by its citizens.
Christianity is the largest religion in Australia, with 43.9% of the population identifying as Christians in the 2021 census. The Catholic Church is the most prominent Christian denomination, accounting for 20% of the population, while the Anglican Church of Australia represents 9.8%. Christian organisations play a significant role in welfare and education. The Catholic education system is the second-largest sector after government schools, enrolling around 20% of secondary school students.
Multicultural immigration, particularly since World War II, has contributed to the growth of non-Christian religions in Australia. The most significant non-Christian faiths include Islam (3.2%), Hinduism (2.7%), Buddhism (2.4%), Sikhism (0.8%), and Judaism (0.4%). These religions have established communities and places of worship throughout the country, enriching Australia's cultural and religious diversity.
Historically, Australia experienced waves of immigration from various parts of the world, including significant numbers from the British Isles, China, and Germany. The White Australia policy, enforced after Federation in 1901, restricted immigration from non-European countries. However, this policy was relaxed following World War II, leading to increased immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe, as well as other regions. Today, Asia is the largest source of immigrants, contributing to the religious diversity in Australia.
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Immigration
Australia's population is projected to reach between 34.3 and 45.9 million people by 2071. As of 2024, the country's population was approximately 27.4 million people, with 8.6 million of those born overseas. Australia has the world's eighth-largest immigrant population, with immigrants accounting for 30% of the population, a higher proportion than in any other nation with a population of over 10 million.
The country's population has quadrupled since the end of World War I, and much of this increase is due to immigration. Asia is the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century, and net overseas migration reached a record level of 536,000 in 2022-23. Overall migration was 739,000 in 2022-23, and net permanent and long-term arrivals in 2023 were 447,790, the highest on record. Most immigrants are skilled, but the immigration quota also includes categories for family members and refugees.
Historically, between 1788 and the Second World War, the vast majority of settlers and immigrants came from the British Isles, principally England, Ireland and Scotland. There was also significant immigration from China and Germany during the 19th century. Following Federation in 1901, the White Australia policy was strengthened, restricting migration from these areas. However, this policy was relaxed after World War II, and in the decades that followed, Australia received a large wave of immigration from across Europe, particularly Southern and Eastern Europe.
Multicultural immigration since World War II has also led to the growth of non-Christian religions in Australia. The largest of these are Islam (3.2%), Hinduism (2.7%), Buddhism (2.4%), Sikhism (0.8%), and Judaism (0.4%). Additionally, considerable proportions of first- and second-generation immigrants are bilingual. While English is the predominant language spoken at home, with 72% of the population speaking only English at home in 2021, other languages spoken include Mandarin (2.7%), Arabic (1.4%), Vietnamese (1.3%), and Cantonese (1.2%).
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Population density
Australia's population density is 4 per km² (9 people per square mile). This makes Australia the 55th most populous country in the world. The country's total land area is 7,682,300 km² (2,966,151 sq. miles), and its total population was 27,400,013 at the end of 2024. Australia's population has quadrupled since the end of World War I, and much of this increase is due to immigration. In 2019, 30% of the Australian resident population, or 7,529,570 people, were born overseas.
Australia has the world's eighth-largest immigrant population, with immigrants accounting for 30% of the population—a higher proportion than in any other nation with a population of over 10 million. Asia is the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century. Net overseas migration reached a record level of 536,000 in 2022–23. Overall migration was 739,000 in 2022-23, and net permanent and long-term arrivals in 2023 were 447,790, the highest on record.
The majority of Australia's population lives near coastlines. The country's urban population has increased from 58% of the total population in 1911 to 86.51% in 2025. Australia has five cities (including their suburbs) with populations larger than one million people. The capitals grew by 427,800 people (2.4%) in 2023-24. Melbourne had the largest increase (142,600), and Perth had the highest growth rate (3.1%).
Australia is a sparsely populated country, with a population density of four people per square kilometre. This is due to the country's large land size and relatively small population compared to other countries. The population is concentrated in urban areas, with 86.51% of the population living in urban areas as of 2025. The median age in Australia is 38.3 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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Frequently asked questions
The population of Australia as of 31 December 2024 was 27,400,013.
Australia's population in 2022 was 26 million and is projected to reach between 34.3 and 45.9 million by 2071.
The median age in Australia is 38.3 years.
In 2024, 31.5% of Australia's population, or 8.6 million people, were born overseas.
