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Australia's population growth rate has been a topic of interest for various reasons, including environmental concerns, resource demands, and the well-being of Australians. As of March 2024, Australia's population growth rate was 2.3% annually, with Western Australia being the fastest-growing state, primarily driven by net overseas migration. In 2023, the total fertility rate in Australia hit a record low of 1.55 babies per woman, and the population density was 4 people per square kilometer. Australia has one of the highest proportions of foreign-born residents among developed countries, with 30% in 2019, and the population is projected to reach between 34.3 and 45.9 million by 2071.
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What You'll Learn
Population growth and environmental impact
Australia's population growth rate is currently 1.8% per year, with a population of 27.3 million as of September 2024. The population is projected to reach between 34.3 and 45.9 million by 2071. This growth has significant environmental implications for the country.
Population growth puts pressure on natural resources, increasing the demand for food, shelter, and materials. This can lead to the overconsumption of resources and the degradation of the environment. For example, agriculture and overgrazing have removed around 13% of Australia's original vegetation since European settlement, with overgrazing promoting desertification, erosion, and the spread of invasive plants.
Urban expansion, driven by population growth, poses a threat to biodiversity. The development of new suburbs and infrastructure results in the loss of green spaces, tree canopy cover, and private gardens, displacing valuable biodiversity and agricultural land. Australia's population is concentrated in cities, with 86.51% of the population living in urban areas. This trend is increasing, with the government supporting new developments on the outskirts of cities, offering larger and more affordable homes.
Population growth also contributes to tourism, recreation, and infrastructure development, which can impact even the most remote areas of Australia. Roads, shipping, and other disturbances can have far-reaching consequences for wildlife, with millions of animals killed on Australian roads annually, including endangered species.
Furthermore, population growth can exacerbate the impacts of climate change. With a growing population, the demand for natural resources increases, putting pressure on already scarce resources like water. Climate change, along with invasive species, has led to dramatic declines in the distribution and abundance of many species in Australia.
To mitigate these environmental impacts, sustainable practices, conservation efforts, and effective resource management strategies are crucial. Balancing population growth with environmental preservation is essential to ensure the long-term well-being of Australia's unique ecosystems and biodiversity.
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Population density and urbanisation
Australia's population density is 4 per square kilometre or 9 people per square mile. The country's total land area is 7,682,300 square kilometres or 2,966,151 square miles. As of 2025, 86.51% of the population is urban, which equates to 23,335,357 people.
Urbanisation and population growth have had a significant impact on Australia's environment and ecosystems. Human activity and population growth are major contributors to the pressures faced by Australia's biodiversity. The State of the Environment 2021 report highlights the impacts of urban expansion, tourism, industrial expansion, pollution, fishing, hunting, and infrastructure development on the country's biodiversity. Australia has the highest rate of mammal extinction in the world, and as of March 2021, 19 Australian ecosystems were reported to be collapsing.
Population growth in Australia has also led to increased demand for resources such as water and has placed additional strain on infrastructure. Furthermore, the country's high immigration rate, with 30% of its population being foreign-born residents as of 2019, has contributed to its population growth.
To address these challenges, some advocate for population stabilisation and a slow reduction, as supported by a majority of Australians according to opinion surveys. This approach aims to protect human wellbeing and ecosystems, while still accommodating migration and maintaining a stable population.
As of September 2024, Australia's population was 27,309,396, with an annual growth rate of 1.8%. The annual natural increase was 104,200, while net overseas migration contributed 379,800 to population growth. Western Australia had the fastest growth rate at 2.5%, while Tasmania had the slowest at 0.3%.
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Immigration trends
Australia has one of the highest proportions of foreign-born residents among developed countries. In 2019, 30% of its population was foreign-born, second only to microstates and Middle Eastern oil states. This is a significant contributor to Australia's population growth, with net overseas migration contributing 379,800 people to the country's population growth in the year ending September 2024.
The countries of birth with the largest populations in Australia are England, India, China, and New Zealand. People born in India recorded the largest increase since 2014. In the year ending March 2024, Victoria had a disproportionately large share of overseas migration (30%), contributing to its position as the second fastest-growing state.
While tens of thousands of people emigrate from Australia each year, the country's low birth rate means that there is room for migrants to "top up" each generation. This results in a stable population while accommodating considerable migration.
Despite the high immigration rate, Australia's population growth rate is projected to decline. The current ten-year average annual growth rate of 1.4% is expected to decrease to between 0.2% and 0.9% by 2071. This is due to a decreasing fertility rate, which fell to a record low of 1.55 babies per woman in 2022-2023.
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Fertility rates
Australia's fertility rate is currently at a record low of 1.5 births per woman, down from 3.1 births per woman in 1921. This represents a significant decline in fertility rates over the past few decades, with the total fertility rate slowly dropping from 1.86 in 1993 to the current rate of 1.5. The birth rate for girls and women aged 15 to 19 has seen a particularly sharp decrease, falling by more than two-thirds over the past 30 years. There has also been a substantial decline in the fertility rate for women aged 20 to 24.
On the other hand, the fertility rate for women aged 40 to 44 has nearly doubled over the same period. For Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women, the total fertility rate was higher at 2.17 births per woman. Western Australia recorded the highest total fertility rate among all states and territories at 1.57 babies per woman, followed by New South Wales and the Northern Territory at 1.55. The Australian Capital Territory had the lowest total fertility rate at 1.31 babies per woman. Tasmania was the only state to record an increase in total fertility rate, from 1.49 to 1.51 babies per woman.
The decline in fertility rates has been attributed to various factors, including economic concerns, housing affordability, gender equality, and climate change. Younger Australians are increasingly concerned about their financial stability and are therefore delaying or forgoing starting a family. Additionally, reliable contraception, career aspirations, and the burden of unpaid work around the home have also contributed to the decrease in fertility rates.
The low fertility rate has sparked concerns about the economic future of Australia, as a declining birth rate can hamper economic growth. However, Australia has recovered from low fertility rates in the past, and some experts believe that positive leadership and addressing key issues can help improve fertility rates in the future.
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Population distribution by state
Australia's population growth rate is projected to decline to between 0.2% and 0.9% by 2071. As of 30 September 2024, Australia's population was 27,309,396, with a quarterly growth of 0.4% and an annual growth of 1.8%.
As of September 2024, all states and territories in Australia experienced positive population growth. Western Australia had the fastest growth rate at 2.5%, while Tasmania had the slowest at 0.3%.
Net overseas migration was the primary driver of change in most states, including New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory. In contrast, net interstate migration was the major contributor to change in the Northern Territory.
The population distribution across Australia's states and territories varies, with New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria (Vic.) having the highest populations among the states, while the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Northern Territory (NT) have the smallest populations.
The latest available data on population estimates for each state and territory as of September 2024 are as follows:
- New South Wales (NSW): 30,227
- Victoria (Vic.): 33,426
- Queensland (Qld): 19,737
- South Australia (SA): 2,763
- Western Australia (WA): 12,878
- Tasmania (Tas.): 194
- Northern Territory (NT): 2,171
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT): 2,807
These figures represent the population changes and growth rates in each state and territory, contributing to the overall population distribution across Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia's population grew by 615,000 people in the year ending March 2024, with an annual population growth rate of 2.3%. Western Australia was the fastest-growing state, with 3.1% growth.
Australia's population in 2022 was 26 million, and it 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 projected to decline to between 0.2% and 0.9%.
Australia's population growth rate is influenced by various factors, including births, deaths, and migration. In recent years, declining birth rates and increasing life expectancy have impacted population growth. Additionally, Australia has experienced high immigration rates, with a significant proportion of the population born outside the country.
