Damon Mcknight
Australia is a large country, but is it one of the biggest in the world? With a total area of 7,688,287 km2 (2,968,464 sq mi), Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world. It is the largest in Oceania and the only country that takes up an entire continent. It is a megadiverse country, with a wide variety of landscapes and climates, including deserts in the interior and tropical rainforests along the coast. Australia has a highly developed economy and one of the highest per capita incomes globally. Its abundant natural resources and well-developed international trade relations are crucial to its economy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Area | 7,688,287 km2 (2,968,464 sq mi) |
| World ranking | Sixth-largest country |
| Continent ranking | Largest in Oceania |
| Population | Almost 28 million |
| Number of states | Six |
| Number of territories | Ten |
| Capital | Canberra |
| Most populous cities | Sydney and Melbourne |
| Type of government | Federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy |
| Economy | Highly developed |
| Natural resources | Minerals and timber |
| Ecosystems | 89 regions and 419 subregions |
| Species | 168,386 named species, 70% undiscovered |
| Poverty rate | 13.6% |
| Children in poverty | 17.7% |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world
Australia is a megadiverse country, and its size gives it a wide variety of landscapes and climates. The country is ecologically unique, with distinct flora and fauna shaped by millennia of geographic isolation and ancient geology, making its landscape both rugged and biodiverse. About 94% of its amphibians, 93% of its reptiles and flowering plants, 69% of its mammals, and 46% of its birds are endemic.
Australia is also the largest country in Oceania and the world's flattest and driest inhabited continent. It has a highly developed economy and one of the highest per capita incomes globally. Its abundant natural resources and well-developed international trade relations are crucial to its economy. It ranks highly for quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties, and political rights.
The country has a population of almost 28 million, highly urbanised and heavily concentrated on the eastern seaboard. Its culture is diverse, and it has one of the highest foreign-born populations in the world. Canberra is the nation's capital, while its most populous cities are Sydney and Melbourne, both with a population of more than five million.
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It is the largest country in Oceania
Australia is indeed one of the biggest countries in the world. It is the largest country in Oceania, with a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles), making it the sixth-largest country in the world. It is also the smallest continental land mass but the world's largest island.
The country comprises the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is a megadiverse country, with a wide variety of landscapes and climates, including deserts in the interior and tropical rainforests along the coast. About 94% of its amphibians, 93% of its reptiles and flowering plants, 69% of its mammals, and 46% of its birds are endemic. The Great Barrier Reef, off the northeast coast, is the world's largest coral reef system.
Australia is a highly urbanised country, with a population of almost 28 million, and is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. It has a highly developed economy and one of the highest per capita incomes globally, with the second-highest amount of wealth per adult as of 2021.
The largest country in the world is Russia, which spans two continents and has a total area of 17,098,242 square kilometres (6,601,665 square miles), equivalent to 11% of the world's total landmass. Canada is the second-largest country, with a total area of 9,984,670 square kilometres (3,855,103 square miles).
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Australia is a megadiverse country
Australia is one of the biggest countries in the world in terms of area. It is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles). It is also the largest country in Oceania.
Australia is also a megadiverse country, with a wide variety of landscapes and climates, including deserts in the interior and tropical rainforests along the coast. It is one of 17 megadiverse countries, which together make up less than 10% of the world's surface, yet support more than 70% of all species.
The megadiverse nature of Australia is due to its long geographic isolation, which has resulted in a high rate of unique species. About 94% of its amphibians, 93% of its reptiles and flowering plants, 69% of its mammals and 46% of its birds are endemic. The country has a wide range of ecosystems, with 89 regions and 419 subregions recognised in the Australian bioregion framework. In January 2025, there were 168,386 named species on the Australian National Species List. However, it is estimated that 70% of Australian species have yet to be discovered and classified, with a potential total of 600,000 native species.
Unfortunately, Australia has also experienced a high rate of species extinction since the arrival of Europeans. Unsustainable hunting, deforestation, and the introduction of foreign species have all contributed to the loss of many unique plants and animals. It is estimated that Australia has caused the extinction of more mammal species than any other country.
The Australian government has recently recognised the importance of protecting nature and has committed to a target of zero new extinctions, with plans to overhaul its environmental laws.
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It is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world by land area, spanning over 7.6 million square kilometres. It is the largest country in Oceania and the only country that takes up an entire continent.
Australia is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. As a constitutional monarchy, Australia recognises a monarch as the official head of state. The monarch, currently King Charles III, holds several powers and duties, including appointing the Governor-General who represents them in Australia, dissolving Parliament in certain circumstances, and approving laws passed by Parliament. The monarch is also the head of the Executive, which includes the Prime Minister and other ministers responsible for government departments.
As a parliamentary democracy, Australia's federal and state governments are elected by the people. The Parliament consists of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate is the upper house, with equal representation from each state, and the House of Representatives is the lower house, with members elected based on the population of each state. The Parliament is responsible for creating and passing laws, debating and approving the federal budget, and overseeing the work of the government.
Australia's system of government combines elements from both the United Kingdom and the United States. It has a strong party discipline, with the two dominant parties being the Liberal Party and the Labor Party. Australia's constitution, established in 1901, has remained mostly unchanged, providing stability to the country's political system.
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Australia has the second-highest amount of wealth per adult
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a total area of 7,688,287 km2. It is the largest country in Oceania.
Now, onto the detail on Australia's wealth per adult.
As of 2021, Australia had the second-highest amount of wealth per adult, after Luxembourg. The median net worth of households with inhabitants aged between 25 and 40 was $238,000, while for households between 41 and 64, this figure jumps up to $809,000, or $817,000 for people over 65. The average Australian adult was worth about $770k at the end of the June '24 quarter. According to the UBS 2024 Global Wealth Report, the mean wealth per adult in Australia was USD$546k, putting the country fifth globally. However, this figure is skewed by billionaires, and median wealth is considered a more relevant metric. In 2023, median wealth per adult in Australia was just under $262,000 US, up about 10% from 2022.
Australia has a highly developed economy, with one of the highest per capita incomes globally. It has abundant natural resources and well-developed international trade relations, which are crucial to the country's economy. It ranks highly for quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties, and political rights.
In terms of wealth distribution, Australia has made progress with inequality. The lowest wealth band has been in constant decline over the past 15 years, while all other wealth brackets have been steadily expanding. Wealth inequality has risen marginally, though it remains low compared to other developed countries. Wealth is also concentrated among older Australians, with households with at least one member over 65 having an average net worth 1.5 times greater than younger households in 2017/2018.
Australia's high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are defined as those with at least $1 million in investable assets – net wealth clear of debt, excluding their home, business, and super, but including SMSF assets. As of June 2024, there were 690,000 HNWIs in Australia, an increase of 8.7% year-on-year.
The country's wealth is attributed to various factors, including a resilient Australian dollar, property ownership levels, and a strong labour market. Australia also has relatively low credit card and student loan debt compared to other countries.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, spanning over 7.6 million km². It is the largest country in Oceania and the only one that occupies an entire continent.
Russia is the largest country in the world, with a total area of 17,075,400 km², which is equivalent to 11% of the total world's landmass.
Canada is the second-largest country in the world, covering 9,984,670 km².
The United States, China, Brazil, and India are among the largest countries in the world.
