Lyla Lindsey
Australia is a large country with a relatively small population. The population is concentrated on the coastal fringes, with about 95% of people living within 100 km of the coast. The population density is 3.5 inhabitants per square kilometre, which is one of the lowest in the world. The total population of Australia is estimated to be around 26 million people. Melbourne is the country's most populous city, with a population of approximately 4.9 million people, while Sydney, the previous titleholder, has around 4.8 million residents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 26 million (as of 2023) |
| Most populous city | Melbourne (4,875,390-4,875,400 as of 2021) |
| Population density | 3.5 inhabitants per square kilometre |
| Life expectancy | 83.2 years (2015-2017) |
| Indigenous population | 495,757 (2011 census) |
| Fertility rate | 2.17 births per woman (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women) |
| Percentage of population living in urban areas | 89% |
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What You'll Learn
Population distribution
Australia has a population of around 26.1 million people, with 89% of its population living in urban areas, making it one of the world's most urbanised countries. The country has a low population density of 3.4/km2 (8.8/sq mi), making it the third least densely populated country in the world.
Most Australians live close to coastlines, with five cities (including their suburbs) consisting of over one million people. Sydney and Melbourne are the two most populous cities in Australia, with Sydney having held the title for over a century until Melbourne overtook it in 2021. Melbourne's population was 4,875,400 in the 2021 census, while Sydney's population was 5,259,800, though this includes the Greater Sydney region. Melbourne's growth has been attributed to international and internal migration patterns, as well as its appeal to international migrants.
The Indigenous Australian population, which has been present in the continent for at least 40,000 years, currently numbers around 60% of its members in New South Wales (208,476) and Queensland (188,954), which represents 2-5% of those states' populations. The Northern Territory has an Indigenous population of 61,115, which is 26.3% of the territory's population.
Australia has a high life expectancy of 83.2 years between 2015 and 2017, one of the highest in the world. The crude death rate has decreased significantly since 1901, falling from 12.2 deaths per 1,000 population to 6.4 deaths per 1,000 population in 2006. The fertility rate rose to 1.81 in 2006, one of the highest rates in the OECD, though continued low fertility rates are expected to result in a natural increase falling below zero by the mid-2030s.
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Population density
Australia's population density is low compared to other countries. As of June 2024, it had a population density of 3.5 people per square kilometre. This is one of the lowest in the world, with only Namibia and Mongolia being less densely populated. The United States, for example, has a population density of 35.71 persons per square kilometre, while the United Kingdom has 248 persons per square kilometre. Even Canada has a higher density, with four people per square kilometre.
The population density of Australia varies across the country. Most of the population is concentrated on the eastern seaboard, particularly in the south-eastern region between South East Queensland and Adelaide. The capitals grew by 427,800 people (2.4%) in 2023-24, with Melbourne having the largest increase (142,600), followed by Sydney (107,500), Brisbane (72,900) and Perth (72,700). Perth had the highest growth rate (3.1%), followed by Melbourne and Brisbane (both 2.7%). The areas with the highest density as of June 2024 were Kingston, on the south-eastern banks of Lake Burley Griffin, and Braddon in the inner north (both 5,200 people per sq km).
The population density of cities in Australia is also low compared to other countries. Sydney, for example, has been described as sparsely populated compared to American cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle. However, if the measure considers the residents of inner-city suburbs located east of Sydney, such as Potts Point, Chippendale, and Ultimo, then the population density rises to above 15,000 people per square kilometre. Parramatta, another inner suburb of Sydney, has a population density of 4,800 people per square kilometre.
The low population density of Australia is generally attributed to the semi-arid and desert geography of much of the interior of the country. Another factor is urbanisation—with 89% of its population living in a handful of urban areas, Australia is one of the world's most urbanised countries.
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Indigenous population
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent, with the earliest accepted timeline for their first arrival on the continent placed at least 40,000 years ago. At the time of European settlement, the indigenous population was estimated to be between 300,000 and 1,100,000 people, with archaeological finds indicating a sustainable maximum population of around 750,000.
Today, the Indigenous population of Australia primarily resides on the east coast, particularly in New South Wales and Queensland, constituting roughly 2-5% of these states' populations. The Northern Territory has a significant Indigenous population as well, accounting for 26.3% of its total population. The Indigenous population is younger than the non-Indigenous population, with a median age of 24 years and a higher proportion of individuals over the age of 35. Additionally, the Indigenous population has a higher birth rate and a lower life expectancy.
As of the 2021 Census, the Indigenous population of Australia numbered around 812,700 to 984,000 people, representing 3.8% of the total Australian population. This marks a notable increase from the 2016 estimate of 798,400 people, and the proportion of Indigenous people has been steadily rising with each Census since 2001. The Indigenous population is dispersed across the country, with the majority residing in New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia combined.
The Indigenous Regions (IREGs) with the largest Indigenous populations include the Central and North Coast of New South Wales, with a total population of 116,100 people. Over a third of the Indigenous population, approximately 333,900 people, live in these three regions. Additionally, 15.4% of the Indigenous population resides in Remote and Very Remote Australia, with the remaining majority inhabiting urban areas.
The Indigenous population of Australia has a strong connection to their culture, language, and traditions. In the 2021 Census, approximately 9.5% of Indigenous people reported speaking an Indigenous language at home, with over 150 distinct Indigenous languages identified. Cultural factors, such as community connections, spirituality, and ties to the land, play a crucial role in the social and emotional well-being of Indigenous Australians.
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Life expectancy
Australia has one of the highest life expectancies in the world. In 2021, life expectancy at birth was 81.1 years for males and 85.1 years for females, a gap of 4.0 years. This is a slight decrease of 0.1 years for males and 0.2 years for females from the previous year. Over the past decade, life expectancy increased by 1.0 years for males and 0.8 years for females.
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Population growth
Australia's population growth has been influenced by various factors, including urbanisation, migration patterns, and the country's geographical characteristics. With a population of approximately 26 million people, Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world, with 89% of its population residing in a handful of urban areas. The population is concentrated along the temperate south-eastern coastline, particularly in cities like Sydney and Melbourne, which have over one million people each.
Melbourne, Australia's cultural capital, recently surpassed Sydney as the country's most populous city, a title Sydney had held since 1902. This shift is attributed to international and internal migration patterns favouring Melbourne, as well as a boundary change that included Melton in Melbourne's metropolitan area. However, the Greater Sydney region, including the central coast of New South Wales, still has a higher population than the Greater Melbourne area.
The population density of Australia is low, at 3.5 inhabitants per square kilometre, and most Australians live close to coastlines. About 95% of the population resides within 100 km of the coast, which is significantly higher than the world average of 39%. This coastal concentration is partly due to the semi-arid and desert geography of much of the country's interior.
Australia's Indigenous population, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, has a significant presence in the country's eastern states, particularly New South Wales and Queensland. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of births registered for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, reflecting a growing Indigenous population.
Historically, the crude birth rate in Australia has fluctuated. At the time of Australian Federation in 1901, the rate of natural increase was 14.9 persons per 1,000 population. In recent years, the total fertility rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women has been recorded at 2.17 births per woman, contributing to the overall population growth.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia's population is around 26 million.
Australia's population density is 3.5 inhabitants per square kilometre, which is one of the lowest in the world.
Australia's population is concentrated on the coastal fringes, with about 95% of the population living within 100 km of the coast.
Melbourne is the most populous city in Australia, with a population of 4,875,400 in the country's most recent census in 2021.
In the 2011 census, 495,757 respondents declared they were Aboriginal and 31,407 declared they were Torres Strait Islanders. This roughly represents 2-5% of the state's population.
