Lexi Webster
Australia's population has changed significantly over the centuries, with humans living on the continent for around 65,000 years. The population growth was initially slow, with estimates of the Aboriginal population before European settlement ranging from 300,000 to one million. By 1800, the population of Australia was approximately 350,000, with the majority being Indigenous Australians. The country's population dynamics shifted drastically with colonisation, resulting in conflicts, diseases, and a changing demographic landscape. Unfortunately, I cannot provide an exact number for Australia's population in 1027, but the available information offers insights into the broader trends and context of the country's population over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 27,392,492 as of 24 December 2024 |
| Population growth | 445,900 people (1.7%) in the year ending 31 December 2024 |
| Annual natural increase | 105,200 |
| Net overseas migration | 340,800 |
| Population density | 3.5 people per square kilometre as of December 2024 |
| Total land area | 7,741,220 km² |
| Percentage of population living in urban areas | 86.51% (23,335,357 people) in 2025 |
| Median age | 38.3 years as of 30 June 2024 |
| Percentage of population aged 65 and over | 17% as of 30 June 2024 |
| Percentage of people born overseas | 31% in 2023 |
| Life expectancy at birth for males | 81.1 years over 2021-2023 |
| Life expectancy at birth for females | 85.1 years over 2021-2023 |
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What You'll Learn
Population growth rate
Australia's population growth rate has been influenced by several factors, including net overseas migration, natural increase, fertility rates, life expectancy, and urbanization. As of 2025, Australia's population is estimated to be around 26,974,026 people, with a median age of 38.3 years and a population density of 4 people per square kilometer.
Net overseas migration has been the primary driver of Australia's population growth. In 2023-24, net overseas migration contributed to a gain of 435,000 people, a significant increase from the 1993-94 figure of 47,000. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia experienced its first net outflow of migrants since World War II, with a loss of 85,000 people in 2020-21.
Natural increase, calculated as births minus deaths, has decreased over time. In 2023-24, the natural increase was 106,000 people, compared to 135,000 in 1993-94. This decline is attributed to falling fertility rates and an ageing population. Fertility rates have dropped from 1.85 babies per woman in 1993-94 to 1.49 in 2023-24, while the number of deaths has increased due to the ageing population.
Life expectancy at birth has increased significantly since the early 1900s. In 2021-2023, life expectancy was 81.1 years for males and 85.1 years for females, an increase of 26 years since the early 1900s. This has contributed to the ageing population, impacting fertility rates and natural increase.
Urbanization has also played a role in Australia's population growth. As of 2025, 86.51% of the population resides in urban areas, amounting to 23,335,357 people. Australia is highly urbanized, with the majority of its population living in a handful of urban centers, particularly along the coastlines. The urbanization rate has increased at a faster pace in the first half of the 20th century compared to the second half.
Interstate migration within Australia has also influenced population distribution. Queensland has experienced a net gain from internal migration, while New South Wales has seen a net loss. Australia also has high rates of interstate migration compared to other countries, although the rate has declined from its peak in the 1980s and 1990s.
In summary, Australia's population growth rate has been shaped by net overseas migration, natural increase, fertility rates, life expectancy, and urbanization trends. The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted population growth, but Australia, along with New Zealand and Canada, recorded their highest population growth rates in decades following the reopening of borders in 2021-22. However, with declining fertility rates and an ageing population, Australia's population growth is projected to slow in the coming years.
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Population density
Australia's population density is low compared to other countries. As of June 2022, the country's population density was 3.4 people per square kilometre (8.8 per square mile). This makes Australia the third least densely populated country in the world, after Namibia and Mongolia.
The population density in Australia's biggest cities, such as Sydney and Melbourne, is higher. Melbourne's inner city has Australia's highest population density at 22,400 people per square kilometre. Potts Point and Pyrmont, both in Sydney's inner city, have the second-highest population density in Australia at 16,700 and 16,500 people per square kilometre, respectively. However, these numbers are still relatively low compared to other large cities worldwide, such as New York City, which has a population density of over 38,000 people per square kilometre.
Australia's overall population density is low because most of the country's interior is desert or semi-arid, also known as the outback, and presents extremely difficult living conditions. In contrast, the majority of Australia's population lives in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern, and Southern seaboards. As of 2025, 86.51% of the population is urban. Australia's population has become increasingly urbanised over time, with the proportion of the population living in urban areas increasing from 57.5% in 1911 to 90.3% in 2021.
The population density in Australia matters for several reasons. Firstly, as more people move into cities, more dwellings are erected, and natural landscapes are affected. Secondly, population density affects the sustainability of cities. Higher population densities may require more public transportation, police stations, and other infrastructure. Finally, population density can impact job opportunities, with places that have higher population densities likely offering more job options.
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Urban-rural population
Australia is a highly urbanised country, with 86.51% of its population living in urban areas as of 2025. This is a significant increase from 1911 when 57.5% of the population was urban, and 90.3% in 2021. The population density in Australia is low compared to other countries, with 4 people per square kilometre (9 people per square mile) in 2025, making it the third least densely populated country in the world.
The urban population in Australia has been steadily increasing, with the country's urban population in 2022 at 22,499,333, a 1.43% increase from 2021. The majority of Australia's population has resided in capital cities since 1954, with Sydney having the largest Greater Capital City Statistical Area population. Melbourne is a close second, overtaking Sydney's Significant Urban Area population in 2018.
The Australian Capital Territory has the highest population concentration, with 181 people per square kilometre in 2019, followed by Victoria with 29 people per square kilometre in the same year. Western Australia had the lowest ratio, with just 1 person per square kilometre in 2019.
The population in rural and remote areas of Australia is declining. This is due to various factors, including changes to regional and rural economies, environmental changes, and personal preferences. Young people, in particular, are moving to larger towns and cities in search of better job opportunities.
A significant proportion of Indigenous people live in urban areas, with 37.4% residing in capital and other major cities as of 2016. The largest urban Indigenous population is in the Blacktown local government area in Western Sydney.
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Life expectancy
Australia has led the English-speaking world in life expectancy for the last three decades. According to a study by Penn State University, Australians have the longest life expectancy at birth compared to the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. The study, which analyzed data from 1990 to 2019, found that Australian women live nearly four years longer and Australian men live five years longer than their American counterparts.
However, during the years impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, life expectancy in Australia decreased. From 2020 to 2022, life expectancy in Australia fell by 0.1 years for males and females compared to 2019–2021. In 2021–2023, it decreased further by 0.1 years for males and 0.2 years for females. Despite these declines, Australia still has one of the highest life expectancies in the world. In 2023, it ranked seventh among the 38 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The COVID-19 pandemic has also affected life expectancy in other countries. In the United States, life expectancy decreased from 2019 to 2021 due to the pandemic, but it started to rebound in 2022. Despite this increase, the United States still has the lowest life expectancy among comparable countries and lags behind other wealthy nations. Similarly, Canada experienced a decline in life expectancy for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, with COVID-19 being a significant contributor to the increase in deaths, especially among seniors.
Several factors have contributed to Australia's high life expectancy. Australia has implemented policies such as gun law reforms, which have helped reduce gun-related deaths. Additionally, Australia has lower levels of drug and alcohol use and better management of chronic diseases compared to the United States. These factors, along with lifestyle choices, health behaviors, and healthcare performance, contribute to Australia's high life expectancy.
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Population projection for 2030
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia's population in 2022 was 26 million. This figure is projected to reach between 34.3 and 45.9 million by 2071. The current ten-year average annual growth rate of 1.4% is expected to decrease to between 0.2% and 0.9%. The median age of the population is projected to increase from 38.5 years to between 43.8 and 47.6 years.
Population projections are based on assumptions about fertility, mortality, and migration trends. Australia's fertility rate has been declining, with 1.7 births per woman in 2021, down from 3.1 births per woman in 1921. The total fertility rate in 2023 was 1.50 births per woman, and it is projected to remain relatively stable over the next few years. The number of births is expected to increase to between 284,700 and 482,700 per year by 2071.
Mortality rates have also been considered in population projections. In 2023, there were 183,000 deaths in Australia, an increase from previous years due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on those aged 50 and over. The number of deaths is projected to continue rising, reaching between 378,200 and 402,800 by 2071.
Migration is another key factor in population projections. Net overseas migration has been a significant driver of population growth in Australia, with an inflow of 435,000 people in 2023-24. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a net outflow of -85,000 people in 2020-21. The number of interstate migrations is expected to increase steadily, with projections showing an increase of 9.8% in 2024-25 and a further rise in subsequent years.
By 2030, Australia's population is projected to continue growing, reaching over 27 million. The growth rate may slow down compared to previous years, but the country's population will likely continue to age, with an increasing median age. The states of Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia are expected to experience the most significant population increases by 2027, with Victoria possibly reaching between 7 and 8 million. New South Wales will remain the largest state by population, with around 9 to 9.3 million people.
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