Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia's population is growing. The population was 25.7 million in 2021, 26 million in 2022, and 27.3 million in 2024. The annual growth rate in 2023 was 2.5%year ending September 2024, it was 1.8%. The population is projected to reach between 34.3 and 45.9 million by 2071. This growth is driven by net overseas migration, which was 379,800 in the year ending September 2024, and natural increase, which was 104,200 in the same period. The population growth is also influenced by urbanization, with 89% of Australians living in urban areas, and a fertility rate of 1.7 births per woman in 2021, which is below the replacement rate of 2.1 births per woman.
Explore related products
$47.49 $64.95
Population growth rate
Australia's population growth rate has been fluctuating over the years. The population growth rate for 2022 was 1.27%, a 1.13% increase from 2021. In 2021, the population growth rate was 0.14%, a 1.09% decline from 2020. The growth rate in 2020 was 1.23%, a 0.24% decline from 2019. The current ten-year average annual growth rate is 1.4%, and it is projected to decline to between 0.2% and 0.9% by 2071.
Australia's population has grown significantly over the last century. In 1901, the population was 3.8 million, and by 2021, it had increased to 25.7 million. The population in 2022 was 26 million, and it is projected to reach between 34.3 and 45.9 million by 2071. The population growth is influenced by various factors, including birth rates, death rates, life expectancy, migration, and urbanisation.
The urban population in Australia has increased significantly, rising from 58% in 1911 to 90% in 2021. This trend is partly due to the country's geography, with much of its interior consisting of semi-arid and desert regions. As a result, most Australians live close to coastlines, and the country is highly urbanised, with 89% of its population living in urban areas.
In terms of demographics, Australia is a diverse country with a significant proportion of its population born overseas. In 2024, 31.5% of the population, or 8.6 million people, were born outside Australia. The countries with the largest populations in Australia are England, India, China, and New Zealand. The median age in Australia is also increasing and is projected to rise from 38.5 years in 2022 to between 43.8 and 47.6 years by 2071.
The population growth rate in Australia is expected to continue to fluctuate, with the ten-year average annual growth rate projected to decline in the coming decades. However, the country's population is still expected to increase, with the number of households and families projected to grow by 2046.
The Founding Story of UGG Australia
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Population density
Australia's population density is low compared to other countries. As of June 2024, the population density was 3.5 people per square kilometre. This makes Australia the third least densely populated country in the world, after Namibia and Mongolia. The population density varies across the country, with the highest density areas being near Adelaide's central business district and in Sydney's city centre. In 2025, the population density was estimated to be between 3.6 and 4 people per square kilometre.
Australia's population has grown significantly over time, increasing from 3.8 million in 1901 to around 26 million in 2022. The population is projected to reach between 34.3 and 45.9 million by 2071. This growth is driven by net overseas migration and natural increase, with the population concentrated mainly in urban areas, particularly on the eastern, south-eastern, and southern seaboards.
The urban population in Australia has increased from 58% in 1911 to 90% in 2021, making it one of the most urbanised countries in the world. The capitals grew by 427,800 people (2.4%) in 2023-24, with Melbourne experiencing the largest increase of 142,600 people and Perth having the highest growth rate of 3.1%.
The population of Australia is expected to continue growing, with estimates suggesting it will exceed 30 million by 2029. The median age is also projected to increase, with a shift towards an ageing population.
Grow Tasty Tomatoes in Pots: An Australian Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Urbanisation
Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world, with 86-89% of its population living in a handful of urban areas. The country's urban population has increased from 58% in 1911 to 86-90% in 2021-2023. In 2025, 86.51% of the population is projected to be urban, which equates to 23,335,357 people.
This high degree of urbanisation is due to several factors. Firstly, Australia has experienced high rates of immigration since the 20th century, with immigrants often settling in coastal, urban areas. In addition, the country's semi-arid and desert geography in its interior regions have made these areas less conducive to settlement. As a result, the majority of Australians live close to coastlines, with 87% of the population residing within 50 kilometres of the coast.
As of 2016, more than two-thirds of Australians lived in a capital city, with 40% of the population concentrated in the two largest cities of Sydney and Melbourne. In 2023-24, the capitals grew by 427,800 people, with Melbourne experiencing the largest increase of 142,600 people, and Perth achieving the highest growth rate of 3.1%.
Australia's urbanisation has had a significant impact on its population density. Despite being one of the most urbanised countries, its population density is among the lowest in the world due to its large land area. In 2025, the population density was 4 people per square kilometre or 9 people per square mile.
Paper Wasps' Diet: What Do They Eat in Australia?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Life expectancy
However, the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on life expectancy in Australia. In the years 2021-2023, life expectancy at birth was 81.1 years for males and 85.1 years for females, a slight decrease from the previous year (2020-2021). The Australian Capital Territory had the highest life expectancy for both males (81.7 years) and females (85.7 years), while the Northern Territory had the lowest life expectancy for both genders, with 76.4 years for males and 80.4 years for females.
The concept of life expectancy is based on statistical calculations that consider current age- and sex-specific death rates in a given population. It is an important indicator of the overall health of a population and is used to inform health policies and initiatives. Life expectancy can vary between different population groups and geographical areas, and it is influenced by various factors such as access to healthcare, socioeconomic status, and environmental conditions.
In recent years, the Australian government and health organisations have been focusing on improving health services, reducing preventable deaths, and adapting to health emergencies. These efforts aim to increase life expectancy and improve the overall health and wellbeing of the population.
It is worth noting that life expectancy values are estimates and may vary slightly due to the methodology and data sources used in their calculation. Additionally, the lack of complete and reliable mortality data, especially in certain regions or demographic groups, can impact the accuracy of life expectancy estimates. Nonetheless, life expectancy remains a crucial tool for assessing and improving the health outcomes of populations in Australia and worldwide.
Castlevania: Australia's Ban on the Beloved Franchise
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Religion
Australia has no official religion. Its population is diverse, with over 100 different religious affiliations recorded in the 2021 census. The largest religious category is Christianity, with 43.9% of Australians identifying as Christian. This has decreased from 52.1% in 2016 and 61.1% in 2011. The largest Christian denominations are Catholic (20%) and Anglican (9.8%).
The second-largest group is those with no religion, who make up 38.9% of the population. This group is growing faster than any other, with the proportion of Australians reporting no religion steadily increasing over the past 50 years. Millennials had the highest proportion of no religion (46.5%).
Islam is the largest non-Christian religion, with followers comprising 3.2% of the total population. The number of Muslims is projected to grow faster than any other major religion worldwide, and by 2050, Muslims are expected to make up more than 50% of the population in 51 countries. In Australia, the number of people affiliated with Islam increased from 2,498 in 2016 to 4,947 in 2021 in Tasmania, and from 813,392 people in 2021 nationwide.
Hinduism is the second-largest non-Christian religion, with 2.7% of the total population identifying as Hindu. It is one of the fastest-growing religions in Australia, with a 12% annual increase since 2011. In the 2021 census, 684,002 people identified as Hindu, up from 148,000 between the 1996 and 2006 censuses. This growth is largely attributed to migration, with half of Australian Hindus born in India and 44.9% born in Fiji.
Buddhism is also one of the fastest-growing religions in Australia, with immigration from Asia contributing to this growth. Buddhists now make up 2.4% of the population, with 615,800 adherents in 2021.
Sikhism has grown significantly in Australia over the past ten years, with the number of Sikhs tripling since the 2011 census. In 2021, 210,400 people identified as Sikh, constituting 0.8% of the population.
Jainism is the fourth-fastest-growing religion in Australia, with an average growth rate of 7.7% per year. In 2016, there were 4,050 Jains, the majority of whom (94.7%) live in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.
Other smaller religious minorities in Australia include Baháʼís, who number just under 14,000, and Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions, which are practised by 7,887 people, or 0.03% of the population.
Exploring Indigenous Connections: Australia and India's Past
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Australia's population was 27,309,396 as of 30 September 2024.
Yes, Australia's population is growing. In the year ending 31 December 2023, Australia's population grew by 651,200 people, a 2.5% increase. The annual growth rate as of 30 September 2024 was 1.8%.
The population growth in Australia is driven by a combination of factors, including natural increase and net overseas migration. In the year ending 31 December 2023, the annual natural increase was 103,900, and net overseas migration was 547,300.
As of September 2024, Western Australia had the fastest population growth rate at 2.5%, while Tasmania had the slowest rate at 0.3%.
Australia's population is projected to continue growing. By 2071, the population is estimated to reach between 34.3 and 45.9 million people. The median age is also expected to increase to between 43.8 and 47.6 years.
