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Australia is a massive country with a landmass almost as large as Europe or the United States. With a population of around 25 million people, it is among the countries with the least population per area. In fact, 85% of Australians live within 50km of the coast, leaving large portions of the country uninhabited, primarily in the central region. This is due to a variety of factors, including the hot and dry climate, lack of water sources, and soil that is not suitable for agriculture. Despite the sparse population, Central Australia boasts numerous attractions and a rich cultural history that draws tourists from around the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population of Australia | 25-26 million |
| Percentage of population living within 30 miles of the coast | 85% |
| Population density as of June 2024 | 3.5 people per square kilometre |
| Capital city with the largest growth in population | Melbourne |
| Capital city with the highest growth rate | Perth |
| Area with the highest density as of June 2024 | Kingston, on the south-eastern banks of Lake Burley Griffin |
| Region with the highest growth rate | Googong, just outside the Australian Capital Territory |
| Number of people in the Australian Capital Territory | Increased by 7,500 |
| Area in the high and very high density classes | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide |
| Centre of population as of June 2024 | Far West SA2, north of Hay SA2 in NSW |
| Region referred to as Central Australia | The Red Centre, Lake Eyre Basin, Outback |
| Population in Central Australia | Sparse |
| Reasons for sparse population in Central Australia | Lack of water, soil unsuitable for agriculture, hot and dry climate |
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What You'll Learn
Population density
Australia is a massive country with about the same landmass as the United States. With a population of around 25 million people, it is among the countries with the least population per area. In June 2024, Australia's population density was 3.5 people per square kilometre. Eighty per cent of the population lives within 30 miles of the coast, and 85% live within 50 km of the coast.
The centre of Australia is largely uninhabited. The region is hot and dry, receiving on average just 150 millimetres of rainfall annually. The Outback, which is almost synonymous with Central Australia, is a desert environment. The dryness of the region makes it unsuitable for agriculture, and the cost of bringing water and infrastructure is prohibitive.
However, Central Australia is not entirely devoid of population. Alice Springs, located in the centre of the continent, is the only major town in an area of roughly 700,000 square kilometres. The town is an oasis of modern amenities in an otherwise barren landscape of red sand and rock.
While the centre of Australia may not be as populated as the coastal regions, it still holds cultural and historical significance. It is home to numerous attractions and animals, drawing tourists from around the globe.
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Migration trends
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted migration trends in Australia. Border restrictions and lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 resulted in a reversal of historical trends, with more people migrating away from Australia than towards it. This led to a net loss in the population of each state and territory during that period. The introduction of international border restrictions lowered net overseas migration to -85,000 people in 2020-21, the first recorded net outflow since World War II.
However, the easing of travel restrictions in 2021 and the reopening of borders in February 2022 triggered a period of record net overseas migration. In 2023-24, overseas migration contributed a net gain of 445,640 people to the Australian population, with every state and territory recording a net gain. The top five countries of birth for migrant arrivals in 2023-24 were India, China, the Philippines, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Capital cities in Australia have been growing faster than regional areas. In 2023-24, 68% of Australia's population lived in the eight capital cities, up from 65% thirty years ago. This trend is driven by overseas migrants' tendency to settle in cities and the younger age structure of city residents, resulting in a greater natural increase. From 2025-26, Victoria and Western Australia are projected to be the fastest-growing jurisdictions due to net overseas migration.
Interstate migration within Australia is also expected to rise. The level of interstate migration is projected to increase steadily, with 422,000 moves expected in 2024-25 and 446,000 in 2026-27. Western Australia is forecast to be one of the fastest-growing jurisdictions due to elevated net overseas migration. Tasmania, on the other hand, is expected to experience slower population growth due to its low share of net overseas migration and outflows of people to other states.
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Farming and agriculture
Australia is a major agricultural producer and exporter, with around 421,000 people employed in agriculture, forestry, and fishing as of 2023. Agriculture accounts for over half of Australia's land use, with farmers and grazers owning 135,997 farms, covering 61% of the country's landmass. The sector contributes 3% to Australia's total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is worth $60 billion at the farm gate, increasing to $100 billion when the affiliated food and fibre industries are included.
The beef industry is the largest agricultural enterprise in Australia, with cattle production covering an area in excess of 200 million hectares. Over 60% of Australian beef production is exported, primarily to the United States, Korea, and Japan. Other livestock, such as sheep, are also an important part of the agricultural sector, with wool, lamb, and mutton production being significant. Horticulture is another key area, with fruit, vegetables, nuts, and cut flowers contributing significantly to the local economy. Grains, oilseeds, and pulses have been the fastest-growing export segment, with canola being a notable example.
Australian farms produce around 93% of the total volume of food consumed in the country. Each farmer produces enough food to feed 600 people annually, 150 at home and 450 overseas. Australian farmers export about 77% of what they produce, with China being a major market, taking a quarter of Australia's farm exports. The success of Australian agriculture is due in part to its policies of long-term visions and promotion of agricultural reforms, as well as sustainable land practices that have become standard. Most broadacre cropping farms retain stubble, minimize tillage, and optimize the use of pesticides or fertilizers, while most livestock farms employ various grazing management systems.
Water management is a critical issue in Australian agriculture, with the nation facing over-allocation issues and increasing variability due to its large deserts and irregular rainfall. Irrigation is necessary for agriculture in some parts of the country, and through initiatives like the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, farmers have returned significant amounts of water to the environment. Australia's farm sector has also committed to an economy-wide target of net-zero emissions by 2050, with some industries, such as red meat, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030.
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Water availability
Australia is a massive country, nearly as large as Europe, and home to around 26 million people. However, due to its aridity, 85% of its population lives within 30 miles of the coast, and 80% live along the eastern side, where rainfall is more common.
The middle of Australia is hot and dry, with very little water. There are no water sources available in these areas, unlike in places like Arizona, which is similarly hot but has water sources. The cost of bringing water and infrastructure to the middle of Australia is not considered worth it.
The Australian government has recognized the need to improve water quality in these areas, particularly in First Nations communities. They have funded studies to identify water quality issues and outline technological advances in water treatment that can address these challenges. Australians have also expressed their willingness to pay higher taxes to ensure good-quality drinking water, with an estimated aggregate willingness to pay of AU$1.2–4.7 billion per year.
However, there are limited publicly available data on the costs of improving water quality in small water supply systems. Additionally, there are gaps in reporting and a lack of transparency regarding water quality data, with some governments not requiring local water utilities to make annual reports available to customers. This has led to calls for the creation of a national drinking water database to address these issues and help deliver "water for all."
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Climate and geography
Australia is a massive country with a landmass almost as large as that of the United States. It has a population of around 25 million people, with 85% living within 50 km of the coast. A large portion of the country remains uninhabited, primarily in the central region.
The climate of Australia is the second driest of any continent, after Antarctica. The country typically experiences dry summers in the south and dry winters in the north due to the influence of the subtropical high-pressure belt. This belt brings dry air down from the upper atmosphere onto the continent. The Intertropical Convergence Zone also influences the climate, bringing monsoons to northern Australia during the summer. The coastal plain south of the Great Dividing Range, where Melbourne and other large cities are located, has Victoria's mildest climate. Regular frontal systems off the Southern Ocean help to mitigate the heat of summer in this region.
In contrast, the Mallee and upper Wimmera regions of Victoria are the warmest in the state, with hot winds blowing in from nearby deserts. Average temperatures in these regions peak at around 32 °C (90 °F) during summer and drop to about 15 °C (59 °F) in winter. The Victorian Alps in the eastern and central regions of Victoria constitute the coldest climate in the state.
Central Australia, or the Red Centre, is an area of about 600 km (370 mi) in every direction from Alice Springs. This region is arid or semi-arid, with little rainfall, especially during the hottest months from October to March. Summers are very hot, with average temperatures often exceeding 35 °C (95 °F), and winters are relatively cool, with average minimum temperatures dipping to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, temperatures can vary significantly within the region, with frosty nights sometimes occurring. The annual rainfall in Central Australia is less than 250 mm (10 in), and the Outback, which is synonymous with Central Australia, receives about 150 mm (6 in) of rainfall per year. Despite the low rainfall, the Outback is not entirely desert-like, and it experiences a surprising amount of rain, ranging from 150 mm in the arid areas to 500 mm in semi-tropical parts.
The central region of Australia, including the Lake Eyre Basin, is largely uninhabited, with only about 6.5% of the land suitable for farming. However, this small percentage is equivalent to the size of France, providing more than enough agricultural land to feed the country's population.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has a population of around 25 million people, with 85% living within 50km of the coast. A large portion of the country remains uninhabited, primarily in the centre region. Alice Springs is the only major town in an area of roughly 700,000 km2.
The centre of Australia is hot and dry, with very little water. The soil is also not suitable for agriculture. The cost of bringing water and infrastructure to the region is not considered worth it.
Australia's population density as of June 2024 was 3.5 people per square kilometre.
