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Australia's population is highly urban, with 86.51% of the population living in urban areas. The population is concentrated in major cities, which are home to almost three-quarters (73%) of the population. Australia's population is around 27 million, with a median age of 38.3 years. The population has grown older, with the percentage of the population aged 65 and over increasing from 12% to 17% between 1994 and 2024. In 2024, 31.5% of the population was born overseas, with the top countries of birth outside Australia being England, India, China, and New Zealand. Australia has the world's eighth-largest immigrant population, with immigrants accounting for 30% of the population in 2019. The majority of Australians have European ancestry (57.2%), with the largest statistical grouping being Anglo-Celtic Australians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 27,981,800 (as of 14 August 2025) |
| Population rank | 54th most populous country |
| Population density | 3.6 persons per square kilometre |
| Urban population | 86.51% (in 2025) |
| Median age | 38.3 years (as of 30 June 2024) |
| Life expectancy | 81.1 years for males and 85.1 years for females (2021-2023) |
| Percentage of population aged 65 and over | 17% (as of 30 June 2024) |
| Percentage of population born overseas | 31.5% (as of 30 June 2024) |
| Top countries of birth | England, India, China, and New Zealand |
| Ancestry | 57.2% European, 33.8% Oceanian, 17.4% Asian, 3.2% North African and Middle Eastern, 1.4% Peoples of the Americas, and 1.3% Sub-Saharan African (2021 census) |
| Religion | No official religion; "no religion" is the largest group by religious identification |
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What You'll Learn
Population growth and demographics
Australia's population has grown from an estimated 300,000 to 2,400,000 Indigenous Australians at the time of British colonisation in 1788 to 27.2 million in 2024, with projections of 34.3 to 45.9 million by 2071. It is currently the 54th most populous country in the world and the most populous in Oceania. The population density is 3.6 persons per square kilometre, making it one of the least densely populated countries globally. The population growth rate averaged 1.4% per year from 1994 to 2024, with a historical low of 0.1% in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the rate rebounded to 2.5% in 2022-23 and 2.0% in 2023-24 with the easing of border restrictions.
The median age in Australia has increased from 33.4 years in 1994 to 38.3 years in 2024, and it is projected to increase further to between 43.8 and 47.6 years by 2071. The percentage of the population aged 65 and over has increased from 12% in 1994 to 17% in 2024. The median age in capital cities is 37 years, lower than the rest of the country at 41.9 years. Darwin is the youngest capital at 34.6 years, while Adelaide is the oldest at 39.2 years.
Australia's population is concentrated in urban areas, with 86.51% of the population living in urban regions in 2025. Major cities, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern, and Southern seaboards, are home to close to three-quarters (73%) of the total population. The urban population has increased significantly over time, rising from 58% in 1911 to 90% in 2021. Capital cities have been growing faster than regional areas, with 68% of the population living in the eight capital cities in 2023-24, up from 65% three decades ago. This trend is driven by overseas migrants settling in cities and the younger age structure resulting in a greater natural increase.
In terms of demographics, Australia has a diverse cultural makeup due to its history of immigration. Since 1788, the country has primarily been a Western culture strongly influenced by Anglo-Celtic settlers from the British Isles (England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales). However, there was also significant immigration from China and Germany during the 19th century, and a large wave of immigration from across Europe after the Second World War. Since the end of the White Australia policy in 1973, Australia has pursued an official policy of multiculturalism, attracting immigrants from Asia, which is now the largest source of immigrants. In 2021, 57.2% of the population identified as European (including 46% North-West European and 11.2% Southern and Eastern European), 33.8% as Oceanian (including 29.9% Australian), 17.4% as Asian, 3.2% as North African and Middle Eastern, 1.4% as Peoples of the Americas, and 1.3% as Sub-Saharan African. It is important to note that the Australian Bureau of Statistics no longer collects data on race, and the proportion of Europeans may be higher as those identifying as "Australian" are classified within the Oceanian group.
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Ancestry and ethnicity
Australia's population is highly diverse, owing to its history of immigration. The country's cultural fabric has been predominantly shaped by early Anglo-Celtic settlers, with the largest statistical grouping of European Australians tracing their lineage to the British Isles. This includes English Australians, Irish Australians, Scottish Australians, and Welsh Australians. Since the end of the White Australia policy in 1973, the nation has embraced an official policy of multiculturalism, welcoming immigrants from diverse backgrounds.
The 2021 census revealed that 57.2% of Australians claimed European ancestry, including 46% from North-West Europe and 11.2% from Southern and Eastern Europe. Approximately 33.8% identified with the Oceanian group, encompassing 29.9% who nominated "Australian" as their ancestry. It is worth noting that the Australian Bureau of Statistics classifies those who identify as Australian within the Oceanian group, and most of them are Anglo-Celtic.
The Asian Australian population has been steadily growing, currently making up 17.4% of the total population. This includes 6.5% of South and Central Asian, 6.4% of Northeast Asian, and 4.5% of Southeast Asian ancestry. The top countries of birth for recent immigrants include England, India, China, and New Zealand, reflecting the diverse origins of Australia's residents.
Indigenous Australians, including Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders, comprise a smaller proportion of the population. They have faced various challenges, including higher rates of imprisonment and unemployment, lower levels of education, and a significant gap in life expectancy compared to non-Indigenous Australians. However, their rich cultural heritage and history in Australia precede European colonisation, with estimates of their population ranging from 300,000 to one million before European settlement.
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Urbanisation and population density
Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world, with 90% of its population living in just 0.22% of its land area. The urban population has increased from 58% of the total population in 1911 to 86.51% in 2025, with the share of the population living in the eight capital cities increasing by 3% over the past 30 years to 68% in 2023-24. This is due to high rates of immigration since the 20th century, with overseas migrants tending to settle in cities. In 2025, the population of Australia was 23,335,357, with a population density of 4 per km² (9 people per square mile). The total land area is 7,682,300 km² (2,966,151 square miles).
The majority of Australians reside in the major cities, with 40% of the population in the two largest cities of Sydney and Melbourne. The median age in Australia is 38.3 years, with a median age of 37 years for those living in capital cities, which is younger than the rest of Australia (41.9). The youngest capital is Darwin, with a median age of 34.6 years, while Adelaide is the oldest at 39.2 years. Darwin is the only capital with more males than females.
The population of Australia has been growing, with an annual growth rate of 1.4% over the past three decades, from 17.8 million in 1994 to 27.2 million in 2024. The population growth rate was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the introduction of international border restrictions causing 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 grew by 2.5% in 2022-23 and 2.0% in 2023-24.
The number of deaths in Australia has increased from 124,000 in 1993-94 to 183,000 in 2023-24, while the number of births has decreased from 259,000 in 1993-94 to 289,000 in 2023-24. This reflects the declining fertility rate and ageing of the population. Life expectancy at birth has increased from 75.0 years for males and 80.9 years for females in 1993 to 81.1 years for males and 85.1 years for females in 2021-23. The percentage of the population aged 65 and over has increased from 12% in 1994 to 17% in 2024.
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Immigration trends
Australia's population has grown significantly over the past few decades, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4% between 1994 and 2024. In 1901, the population was 3.8 million, and by 2021, it had increased to approximately 26 million. As of 30 June 2024, Australia's population was estimated to be around 27.2 million to 27.4 million. The population growth rate in 2023-24 was 2.0%, a decrease from the previous year's rate of 2.5%.
Historically, Australia has had a high rate of immigration, with overseas migration contributing significantly to its population growth. In the five years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, the average number of migrant arrivals was 515,000 per year, with the majority holding temporary visas. However, the pandemic and the associated border restrictions caused a decline in immigration, resulting in a net outflow of migrants in 2020-21 for the first time since World War II. During this period, there was a net loss of Australian-born residents, a trend that reversed in 2023-24.
In 2023-24, the top countries of birth for migrant arrivals to Australia were India, China, the Philippines, Australia, and the United Kingdom. International students constituted a significant portion of temporary visa holders, with 207,000 arrivals in 2023-24, although this was a decrease from the previous year. Other temporary visa holders included visitors (90,000), working holidaymakers (80,000), and temporary skilled workers (49,000).
Prior to the 20th century, the majority of settlers and immigrants to Australia came from Britain and Ireland, particularly England, Ireland, and Scotland. There was also significant immigration from China and Germany during the 19th century. During the Gold Rush era, beginning in 1851, there was an influx of British, Irish, German, and other European settlers, as well as smaller numbers of Chinese immigrants. From 1901 to 1973, Australia maintained the White Australia policy, which restricted the entrance of people of non-European ethnic origins. Following World War II, this policy was gradually relaxed, and since 1945, more than 7 million people have settled in Australia, with a large wave of immigration from across Europe. In recent years, Asia has been the largest source of immigrants to Australia.
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Religion and cultural identity
Australia is a diverse and tolerant society, with people from a wide range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The country's population was approximately 27.2 million as of June 2024, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4% over the past three decades. The median age of the population is 38.3 years, and the gender distribution is relatively balanced, with 49.3% male and 50.7% female.
Regarding religion and cultural identity, Australia has no dominant religion. Instead, Australians practice a wide variety of religions, with the 2021 census recording over 100 different religious affiliations. The largest religious group identified as Christian (52.1%), with the Catholic Church and Anglican Church being the two largest denominations. However, the fastest-growing religious affiliation is 'no religion', with 38.9% of the population selecting this option in the 2021 census. This category includes atheists, agnostics, and those with spiritual beliefs such as New Age.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have their own unique spiritual beliefs and practices that are deeply connected to the land and certain significant sites. These beliefs vary across different regions and groups but share a holistic worldview that emphasises the interconnectedness between people, the natural world, and other elements. The spirituality and customs of Torres Strait Islanders reflect their Melanesian origins and dependence on the sea.
Other notable religious groups in Australia include Hindus, who have grown from 0.7% in 2006 to 2.7% in 2021, with much of this growth attributed to migration from countries like India and Fiji. Buddhism is the third-largest religious group, with 2.4% of the population identifying as Buddhist in the 2021 census. This community is diverse, with followers from various Buddhist countries and those from Europe and the United States who practice less culturally intertwined forms of Buddhism.
Islam is also a notable religion in Australia, with 3.2% of the population identifying as Muslim in 2021. However, the relationship between Islam and the wider Australian community has been tense at times, particularly following the 9/11 attacks and other incidents involving Islamic fundamentalists. Jainism is another growing religion, currently the fourth fastest-growing, with a significant presence in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.
In Australia, conversations about religion are generally welcomed in private settings among familiar people. At the same time, public promotion or defensiveness of religious views, including atheism, is typically unappreciated.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia's population was estimated to be around 27.2 million as of June 2024, with projections of exceeding 30 million by 2029.
The majority of Australians (57.2%) have European ancestry, with the largest group being Anglo-Celtic Australians. 33.8% have Oceanian ancestry, 17.4% Asian, 3.2% North African and Middle Eastern, 1.4% Peoples of the Americas, and 1.3% Sub-Saharan African. A smaller proportion of Australians are Indigenous, including Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders.
Australia's population is concentrated in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern, and Southern seaboards. Capital cities are home to around 68-73% of the population, with the median age in these cities being lower than in the rest of the country.
