Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world, with a population of around 24 million people. The country's ethnic makeup is largely a result of its history of immigration and colonisation. Before British colonisation in 1788, Australia was inhabited by over 500 different indigenous groups, each with its own language, culture, and belief system. Today, the two largest ethnic populations in Australia are those of British and Irish descent, with other large ethnic groups including Italians, Germans, and Chinese Australians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 26,768,598 (2024 estimate) |
| Population growth rate | 1.13% (2024 estimate) |
| Birth rate | 12.2 births/1,000 population (2024 estimate) |
| Death rate | 6.8 deaths/1,000 population (2024 estimate) |
| Net migration rate | 5.9 migrants/1,000 population (2024 estimate) |
| Median age | 38.3 years (2024) |
| Population density | 3.4/km2 or 8.8/sq mi (2022) |
| Ethnic groups | English (33%), Australian (29.9%), Irish (9.5%), Scottish (8.6%), Chinese (5.5%), Italian (4.4%), German (4%), Indian (3.1%), Australian Aboriginal (2.9%), Greek (1.7%), unspecified (4.7%) (2021 estimate) |
| Largest Christian denominations | Roman Catholic Church (20%), Anglican Church of Australia (9.8%) |
| Largest non-Christian religions | Islam (3.2%), Hinduism (2.7%), Buddhism (2.4%), Sikhism (0.8%), Judaism (0.4%) |
| Percentage of Christians | Decreasing since 1991 |
| Percentage of non-religious | Increasing |
| Percentage of Indigenous population | 3.2% (2021) |
| Percentage of Indigenous births | 7.5% (2020) |
| Immigration rate | 30% of the population (2019) |
| Number of ancestries | Two ancestries can be nominated in the census |
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What You'll Learn
- British ancestry remains the largest ethnic population in Australia
- Australians with Chinese ancestry are the second-largest ethnic population
- Australia's immigrant population is the eighth-largest in the world
- Aboriginal Australians are a small but important and growing population
- Australia has the world's most ethnically diverse population
British ancestry remains the largest ethnic population in Australia
Australia has one of the world's most ethnically diverse populations. Since the end of the White Australia policy in 1973, the country has actively pursued an official policy of multiculturalism.
Despite this, British ancestry remains the largest ethnic population in Australia. People of European descent have formed the majority of the population since British settlement began in 1788. In 2021, 33% of the population identified as English, while 29.9% identified as Australian. The latter group is largely comprised of Anglo-Celtic Australians, whose ancestors originated wholly or partially in the British Isles.
The country's colonisation by Europeans is a significant reason for the majority of its population being Caucasian. Between European colonisation in 1788 and the Second World War, the vast majority of settlers and immigrants came from the British Isles, particularly England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland. During the 19th century, there was also significant immigration from China and Germany.
Since the postwar period, Australia has experienced a large and continuing wave of immigration from around the world, with Asia now the largest source of immigrants. This has contributed to the country's ethnic diversity, with over 200 languages now spoken.
While Australia has no official religion, its various governments refer to the Christian God in their ceremonies. In the 2021 census, 43.9% of the population identified as Christian, while 38.9% identified as having no religion.
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Australians with Chinese ancestry are the second-largest ethnic population
Australia has one of the world's most ethnically diverse populations, with a large proportion of its residents born overseas. The country's history of immigration and colonisation has significantly influenced its ethnic makeup.
The Chinese Australian community has a long history in the country, dating back to the 19th century. During this period, significant Chinese immigration occurred, and Germans formed the largest non-British Isles ancestry group. The presence of Chinese Australians has contributed to the cultural diversity of the nation, with over 200 languages spoken in Australia today.
In recent decades, Australia has embraced multiculturalism, promoting residency status among people of diverse ethnic backgrounds. This shift has been reflected in the country's immigration policies, which have attracted students and workers seeking better opportunities. The net migration rate of 5.9 migrants per 1,000 people in 2024 is indicative of Australia's continued appeal as a destination for immigrants.
It is worth noting that the Australian Bureau of Statistics no longer collects data on race or ethnicity, instead focusing on ancestry. The complexity of ethnic identity and the public's varied understanding of it have influenced the decision to collect ancestry information instead.
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Australia's immigrant population is the eighth-largest in the world
Australia has the eighth-largest immigrant population in the world. Immigrants account for 30% of the country's population, a higher proportion than in any other nation with a population of over 10 million. This percentage has been increasing since 2004, when it was 23.8%. In 2024, the proportion of the population born overseas was 31.5%.
Australia's population has quadrupled since the end of World War I, much of this increase stemming from immigration. The country has one of the highest immigration rates in the world and is an attractive destination for students and workers seeking a better lifestyle. Its proximity to Asia, as one of the world's most developed countries, also makes it a popular destination for Asian immigrants. Asia is the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century.
Australia's immigrant population is diverse, with people from nearly every country in the world represented. The four most common countries of birth make up over one-third of Australians born overseas. In 2024, those born in England constituted the largest group, with 964,000 people. The second-largest group was those born in India, with 916,000 people, followed by China, with 700,000 people.
Australia's history of colonisation and immigration has influenced the ethnic makeup of the country. British people continue to be the majority, with 67.4% of the population. Other European ethnicities include Irish (8.7%), Italian (3.8%), and German (3.7%). Those of Chinese ethnicity represent 3.6% of the population, and Aboriginal and Native Australians make up 3%.
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Aboriginal Australians are a small but important and growing population
Australia is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world, with a population of around 24 million people. The country's ethnic diversity can be attributed to its history and location. The colonisation of Australia by Europeans is a significant reason for the majority of its population being Caucasian.
Before British colonisation in 1788, Australia was home to over 500 different indigenous groups, each with its own language, culture, and belief system. These indigenous Australians witnessed the transformation of their homeland due to the influx of European immigrants. Today, Aboriginal Australians comprise a small percentage of the total population, with estimates ranging from 2.9% to 3.2%. However, they are an essential part of the country's cultural fabric and history.
The Aboriginal population is also growing. In 2020, 7.5% of births were Aboriginal persons, up from 5.7% in 2010. Aboriginal fertility rates have remained above replacement levels even as the nation's fertility rate has declined rapidly. This growth is a positive sign for the community and indicates a reversal of historical injustices that led to their marginalisation.
The Australian government has recognised the importance of promoting cultural diversity and celebrating differences. Since the end of the White Australia policy in 1973, the country has actively pursued an official policy of multiculturalism. This shift has encouraged immigration from diverse backgrounds, with Asia being the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century. The government's commitment to multiculturalism is reflected in its immigration policies, which promote residency status among people of varying ethnicities.
While Australia's population is predominantly Caucasian, the Aboriginal community is an integral part of the country's heritage and cultural landscape. Their small but growing population is a testament to their resilience and the government's efforts to foster inclusivity. As Australia continues to embrace its multicultural identity, the Aboriginal community's contributions and influence will undoubtedly shape the nation's future.
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Australia has the world's most ethnically diverse population
Australia has a population of around 24 million people, with nearly 90% living in urban areas, giving it a low population density. It is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world, with a large and continuing wave of immigration from across the globe. The country's ethnic diversity can be attributed to its history and location.
The colonization of Australia by Europeans is a significant reason for the majority of its population being Caucasian. British people continue to be the majority, with 67.4% of the population, followed by other European ethnicities such as the Irish (8.7%), Italians (3.8-4.4%), and Germans (3.7-4%). The proportion of Australians with European ancestry is thought to be higher than the numbers captured in the census, as those nominating their ancestry as "Australian" are classified within the Oceanian group, and most of these are Anglo-Celtic Australians.
Since the end of the White Australia policy in 1973, Asia has become the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century. Chinese Australians represent 3.6-5.5% of the population, and Indian Australians 1.7-3.1%. At the 2021 census, the number of ancestry responses categorised within the Asian groups as a proportion of the total population amounted to 17.4%.
Multicultural immigration since the Second World War has also led to the growth of non-Christian religions. The largest of these are Islam (3.2%), Hinduism (2.7%), Buddhism (2.4%), Sikhism (0.8%), and Judaism (0.4%).
In 2024, the net migration rate was estimated to be 5.9 migrants per 1,000 people, with 31% of the population being overseas-born. Australia has the world's eighth-largest immigrant population, with immigrants accounting for 30% of the population in 2019.
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Frequently asked questions
The two largest ethnic populations in Australia are those of British and Irish descent.
Australia was once inhabited solely by Aboriginal people and Indigenous groups. British colonisation in 1788 marked the beginning of a majority-Caucasian population in the country. Since the end of the White Australia policy in 1973, Australia has celebrated multiculturalism and immigration from across the world, with Asia being the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century.
Australia is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world, with 30% of the population born overseas. The largest ethnic groups are those of British (67.4%) and Irish (8.7%) descent. Other large groups include Italian (3.8%), German (3.7%), and Chinese (3.6%). Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders make up 3% of the population.
