Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia's rural population refers to the number of people living in areas classified as non-urban by national statistical offices. In 2023, Australia's rural population was approximately 3.5 million people, accounting for 13.38% of the total population. This percentage has been declining over time, with a historical average of 15.18% from 1960 to 2023. The rural population in Australia is expected to continue growing, reaching 3.58 million people in 2024, a 0.80% increase from 2021. This population makes up a significant portion of the 7 million people residing in rural and remote areas of the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rural population in Australia in 2023 | 3,565,036 |
| Rural population in Australia in 2022 | 3,515,066 |
| Rural population in Australia in 2021 | 3,502,976 |
| Rural population in Australia in 2020 | 3,529,080 |
| Rural population in Australia in 2024 | 3,587,655 |
| Percentage of rural population in Australia in 2023 | 13.38% |
| Percentage of rural population in Australia in 2022 | 13.51% |
| Average percentage of rural population in Australia from 1960 to 2023 | 15.18% |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's rural population in numbers
Australia's rural population refers to the number of people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between the total population and the urban population. According to the Global Economy, the latest value from 2023 puts Australia's rural population at 13.38% of the total population, a decline from 13.51% in 2022. Historically, the average for Australia from 1960 to 2023 is 15.18%. The minimum value, 13.38%, was reached in 2023, while the maximum of 18.47% was recorded in 1960. In comparison, the world average is 38.64%, based on data from 196 countries.
Looking at the numbers, in 2023, Australia's rural population was 3,565,036 people, a 1.42% increase from 2022. The rural population in 2022 was 3,515,066, a slight increase of 0.35% from 2021's figure of 3,502,976. There was a decline of 0.74% from 2020 to 2021, with 2020 recording a population of 3,529,080.
GlobalData provides a slightly different figure for 2024, estimating the rural population to be 3,587,655 people. They also note a historical growth (CAGR) of 0.80% between 2021 and 2024, projecting a decline thereafter.
It is worth noting that the aggregation of urban and rural populations may not always add up to the total population due to different country coverages. Additionally, the NRHA reports that there are around 7 million people living in rural and remote areas of Australia, indicating a broader definition of "rural" in this context.
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Annual growth rate
Australia's rural population has been fluctuating over the years, with a mix of annual increases and decreases. From 2020 to 2021, the rural population declined by 0.74%, followed by a 0.35% increase from 2021 to 2022, and a 1.42% increase from 2022 to 2023. The population was reported to be 3,565,036 in 2023.
The indicator recorded a historical growth rate (CAGR) of 0.80% between 2021 and 2024. In 2021, the population was 3,502,976, and by 2024, it had increased to 3,587,655 people. This growth rate represents a slight upward trend over these years.
When considering the broader historical context, Australia's rural population has been on a general downward trend since 1960. The average rural population percentage from 1960 to 2023 is 15.18%highest percentage, 18.47%, recorded in 1960. The most recent data point in 2023 shows a rural population percentage of 13.38%, indicating a gradual decline over time.
While the annual growth rate has shown some variability, with minor increases and decreases, the overall trend suggests a slow decline in Australia's rural population relative to its total population. This decline is evident when comparing Australia's rural population percentage to the world average, which stands at 38.64%.
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Comparison to global rural populations
Australia's rural population has historically been quite low compared to global averages. In 2023, 13.38% of Australians lived in rural areas, while the world average was 38.64%. The previous year, 13.51% of Australians lived in rural areas, while the maximum percentage of 18.47% was recorded in 1960.
The rural population of Australia has been steadily declining over the years, with an expected decline in the coming years. In 2024, the rural population was estimated to be 3,587,655 people, a 0.80% increase from 2021. This is in contrast to the global average, where, according to data from 196 countries, the percentage of people living in rural areas is much higher, at almost 40%.
While the specific reasons for these differences are not immediately clear, it is worth noting that Australia is a highly urbanized country, with a large proportion of its population living in cities and towns. Additionally, Australia's vast geographical size may also play a factor, as the country has a relatively small population distributed across a large land mass.
In comparison to other countries, Australia's rural population shares some similarities with other developed nations, particularly in terms of the declining trend. Many developed countries have seen a decrease in their rural populations as people move to urban areas for better economic opportunities and amenities. However, the percentage of rural populations in developed countries can vary significantly, with some countries, such as the United States, having a higher percentage of rural residents than Australia.
On the other hand, when compared to developing nations, Australia's rural population differs greatly. Many developing countries have a significantly higher percentage of their populations living in rural areas, often due to limited urbanization and a reliance on agriculture-based livelihoods. In these contexts, rural areas may offer more opportunities for employment and a lower cost of living compared to urban centers.
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Rural health
Australia's rural population in 2023 was 3,565,036, a 1.42% increase from 2022. This population makes up around one-quarter of Australia's total population. People in rural areas of Australia face unique challenges due to their geographic isolation.
Rural Australians have shorter lives, higher levels of disease and injury, and poorer access to and use of health services compared to metropolitan residents. They also have higher rates of hospitalisations, mortality, and injury. These health inequalities may be due to various factors, including:
- Challenges in accessing healthcare professionals and specialists.
- Social determinants such as income, education, and employment opportunities.
- Higher rates of risky behaviours like tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Higher rates of occupational and physical risk, for example, from farming, mining, or transport-related accidents.
The Australian government has recognised these issues and is developing policies and running programs to encourage health professionals to train and practise in rural and remote areas. The National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) is also committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the 7 million people in these areas.
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Population density
Australia is a country with a relatively low population density, with a significant proportion of its population residing in urban areas. As of 2023, the rural population of Australia stood at approximately 3.56 million people, which equates to around 13.38% of the country's total population. This percentage has witnessed a slight decline from the previous year's figure of 13.51%.
When referring to the rural population, we are talking about individuals living in areas classified as rural by national statistical offices. It is calculated by subtracting the urban population from the overall population. From 2022 to 2023, Australia's rural population witnessed a minor increase of 1.42%. This increase built upon the 0.35% rise observed between 2021 and 2022. However, the rural population in 2021 had experienced a decrease of 0.74% compared to 2020.
The Global Economy provides historical context, revealing that the average percentage of Australia's rural population from 1960 to 2023 was 15.18%. The highest percentage during this period was recorded in 1960, at 18.47%. In contrast, the figure reached its lowest point in 2023, dipping to 13.38%.
According to GlobalData, the rural population of Australia is projected to reach 3,587,655 people in 2024, representing a growth rate of 0.80% from 2021 to 2024. This growth trend is anticipated to reverse, with a projected decline in the coming years. The NRHA (National Rural Health Alliance) reports that approximately 7 million people reside in rural and remote areas of Australia, highlighting a broader definition of "rural" that may include remote regions.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia's population was approximately 27.4 million people as of 31 December 2021, with over two-thirds (69%) living in major cities, 20% in inner regional areas, 9% in outer regional areas, and 2.3% in remote or very remote areas. Therefore, the rural population in Australia is approximately 1.9 million people.
The Indigenous population has a much greater concentration in the more remote areas. While Indigenous people make up 2.4% of Australia's population, they comprise 1% of the population in major cities, 3% in inner regional areas, 6% in outer regional areas, 15% in remote areas, and 49% in very remote areas.
The difference between very remote areas and the rest of Australia is largely due to a higher proportion of the Indigenous population. In very remote regions, a smaller proportion of people live in couple families with no children (19%), and a higher proportion live in one-parent families (19%).
