Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia's population has grown significantly over the past few decades, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4% between 1994 and 2024. As of 30 June 2024, the country's population was around 27.2 million people, with the majority residing in major cities, particularly along the coastlines. Australia has the world's eighth-largest immigrant population, with about 31% of its residents born overseas, contributing significantly to its diverse and multicultural society. The median age of Australians is around 38-39 years, and the country is experiencing a demographic shift towards an older population.
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What You'll Learn
Population growth
Australia's population has grown significantly over the past century. In 1901, the population was 3.8 million, and by 2021, it had increased to approximately 25.7 million. As of 30 June 2024, Australia's population was estimated to be around 27.2 million, with an annual growth rate of about 1.4%. The population growth rate in the year ending 31 December 2024 was slightly higher at 1.7%.
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 2019, 30% of the Australian resident population, or 7,529,570 people, were born overseas. The proportion of overseas-born residents increased to 31% in 2023 and 31.5% by 30 June 2024, with a net overseas migration of 340,800 during the previous year. Net overseas migration reached a record level of 536,000 in 2022-23.
Another factor influencing population growth is the fertility rate. In 2023, the total fertility rate for all Australian women was 1.50 births per woman, which is below the replacement rate of 2.1. The fertility rate has been declining over time, with a rate of 1.85 births per woman in 1993-94 and 1.49 in 2023-24. This decline in fertility rates contributes to an ageing population, as there are fewer births to offset the number of deaths.
The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted Australia's population growth. International border restrictions caused population growth to fall to a historical low of 0.1% in 2020-21. However, following the easing of restrictions and the return of overseas migration in late 2021, Australia's population growth rebounded to 2.5% in 2022-23 and 2.0% in 2023-24.
Despite the overall population growth, Australia is experiencing a demographic shift towards an older population, similar to many other developed countries. The median age in Australia is projected to increase from 38.5 years in 2021 to between 43.8 and 47.6 years in the future. This shift is influenced by the declining fertility rate and the ageing of the population, resulting in a higher proportion of retirees and a decrease in the number of people of working age.
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Language
Australia's population was 27,400,013 people at the end of 2024, with an estimated 25,744,797 residents in 2021. The country's population has increased significantly over time, quadrupling since the end of World War I, largely due to immigration.
English is the de facto national language of Australia, with a distinctive Australian accent and lexicon. It is not the official language of Australia in law, but it is the most widely spoken language in the country. English was introduced to Australia in 1788 with the arrival of British settlers, and gradually overtook Indigenous languages to become the majority language.
There are hundreds of Aboriginal languages in Australia, with over 250 thought to have existed before European contact. Today, around 120 to 170 Indigenous languages and dialects are still spoken, but many are endangered. The 2021 census found that 167 Indigenous languages were spoken at home by 76,978 Indigenous Australians. The most widely spoken Indigenous languages are creoles such as Kriol and Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole).
The proportion of Australians speaking a language other than English has increased over time, particularly after the Second World War due to the immigration of refugees and displaced persons. In 2021, 5.8 million people used a language other than English at home. The most common of these languages are Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Cantonese, with Punjabi, Greek, Italian, and Hindi also being widely spoken.
Multilingualism is an important aspect of Australia's multicultural society, and the country is home to a diverse range of languages, including Indigenous languages, immigrant languages, and sign languages such as Auslan.
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Religion
Australia is often described as a secular country, with a notable ongoing movement from religion to "no religion". The 2021 Census revealed increasing diversity in the religions Australians identified, reflecting the nation's changing social attitudes and belief systems.
The 2021 Census also showed that Christianity is the most common religion in Australia, with 43.9% identifying as Christian, a reduction from 52.1% in 2016 and 61.1% in 2011. The largest Christian denominations are Catholic (20% of the population) and Anglican (9.8%). While fewer people are reporting their religion as Christian, more are reporting "no religion". Almost 40% of Australians reported having no religion in the 2021 Census, an increase from 30.1% in 2016 and 22.3% in 2011. This makes those who identify as non-religious the second-largest "religious group" in Australia.
Despite the decline in Christian affiliation, Christian organisations, hospitals, and schools continue to play a prominent role in welfare and education services. The Catholic education system is the second-biggest sector after government schools, with more than 795,000 students (around 20% of all secondary school enrolments). Weekly attendance at Christian church services is about 1.5 million, or about 7.5% of the population.
Other religions are growing but continue to make up a small proportion of the population. For instance, the 2021 Census recorded that 10% of Australians identified with a religion other than Christianity. This increase in affiliation with other religions, such as Hinduism and Islam, is indicative of Australia's multicultural migrant population. Over 250 Indigenous Australian languages are thought to have existed at the time of first European contact, and today, Australia has its own sign language, Auslan.
The shift in Australia's religious demographics has had a profound effect on the nation's laws. For example, abortion has been decriminalised in all states, and there has been an ongoing debate about freedom of religion, particularly in relation to discrimination by religious schools. LGBTQ+ groups argue that discrimination is harmful and unacceptable in modern Australia.
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Migration
Australia's population has increased from 3.8 million in 1901 to around 25.7 million in 2021, with the population growing by 445,900 people (1.7%) between 2023 and 2024. This increase is largely due to immigration, with immigrants accounting for 30% of the population, or 7,529,570 people, in 2019. Australia has the world's eighth-largest immigrant population, with net overseas migration reaching a record level of 536,000 in 2022-23.
The history of migration to Australia is long and varied. The first migration of humans to the continent took place around 65,000 years ago, when the ancestors of Indigenous Australians arrived via the islands of Maritime Southeast Asia and New Guinea. Dutch navigators landed on the coasts of modern-day Western Australia and Queensland in the 17th century, and in 1788, European colonisation began with the establishment of a British penal colony in New South Wales. By the end of penal transportation in 1868, approximately 165,000 people had entered Australia as convicts.
In the early 20th century, the Australian government maintained the White Australia policy, which restricted the entrance of people of non-European ethnic origins. Despite this, significant immigration from China and Germany occurred during this period, and young women were receiving assisted passages from state governments to migrate to Australia. Following World War II, the White Australia policy was gradually relaxed, and in 1945, 5,000 Jewish refugee families from Germany arrived in Australia. The post-war period saw an increase in immigration, with the government stepping up its immigration program under the catchphrase 'Populate or perish!'
In recent years, Australia has continued to be a popular destination for immigrants, with skilled migration and family reunion programs being the largest components of immigration. In 2023, BCG ranked Australia as the top country destination for individuals seeking to work and live a high-quality life. The country's multicultural society is shaped by the diverse journeys and reasons for migration, with many prospective migrants visiting Australia before deciding to stay.
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Population distribution
Australia's population has increased from 3.8 million in 1901 to around 25.7 million in 2021, with an estimated population of 27.4 million in 2024. The population distribution in Australia is heavily skewed towards urban areas, with 86.51% of the population living in urban areas as of 2025. This is a significant increase from 58% in 1911. The urban population is expected to continue growing, with capitals like Melbourne and Perth experiencing high growth rates due to overseas migration and natural increase.
The median age in Australia is projected to increase from 38.3 or 38.5 years in 2025 to between 43.8 and 47.6 years in the future. The median age in capital cities is younger at 37 years, with Darwin being the youngest at 34.6 years and Adelaide the oldest at 39.2 years. The male-to-female ratio is relatively balanced, with males accounting for 49.3% and females 50.7%.
In terms of language, English is predominantly spoken at home by 72% of the population as of the 2021 census. Other common languages include Mandarin Chinese (2.7%), Arabic (1.4%), Vietnamese (1.3%), and Cantonese (1.2%). The number of bilingual individuals, particularly among first- and second-generation immigrants, is also notable. Regarding religion, Australia has a diverse landscape, with Christian charitable organisations, hospitals, and schools playing a significant role in welfare and education services. However, the level of active participation in religious services is lower than the proportion of the population affiliated with a religion.
Australia has the world's eighth-largest immigrant population, with immigrants comprising approximately 30% of the population in 2019, or around 7.5 million people. This proportion is higher than in any other nation with a population exceeding 10 million. Asia is the primary source of immigrants in the 21st century, with India recording the largest increase in recent years. Net overseas migration reached a peak of 536,000 in 2022-23.
Indigenous Australians make up a smaller proportion of the total population. In the 2011 census, 495,757 individuals identified as Aboriginal, 31,407 as Torres Strait Islander, and 21,206 as both. Most Indigenous Australians reside on the east coast, particularly in New South Wales and Queensland, constituting around 2-5% of those states' populations.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia's population was 27.2 million at 30 June 2024.
Three-quarters (73%) of people live in Australia's major cities, with the remaining quarter (25%) living in Inner or Outer regional Australia, and 1.9% in remote areas.
The median age in Australia is 38.3 years, projected to increase to between 43.8 and 47.6 years.
At 30 June 2024, 8.6 million people living in Australia were born overseas, which is 31% of the population.
In 2021, 72% of the population spoke only English at home, with the next most common languages being Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Cantonese.
