Leslie Massey
Oceania is a geographical region that includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. It is considered a continent outside of English-speaking countries, while mainland Australia is regarded as its continental landmass. The population of Oceania is estimated to be around 46.3 million as of 2024, with 66.2% of the population living in urban areas. The largest and most populous country in Oceania is Australia, with a capital in Canberra and Sydney being the largest city.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 46.3 million as of 2024; 46,609,602 as of 2025 |
| Population % change (2025) | N/A |
| Population % of world population | 0.58% |
| Median age | 33.4 years |
| Urban population | 66.2% (30,859,669 people) |
| Land area | 9,000,000 sq km (3,500,000 sq mi) |
| Land area % of world | 5.77% |
| Largest country | Australia |
| Largest city | Sydney, Australia |
| Continent status | Considered a continent outside English-speaking countries |
| Definition | Includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia, and sometimes Indonesia, the Philippines, and New Zealand |
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What You'll Learn
Population of Australia and Oceania in 2024
Australia's population is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years, with projections showing a steady increase from 2024 onwards. As of 2021, Australia's population stood at around 25.5 million people, with a median age of 38.5 years. The population is projected to reach between 34.3 and 45.9 million by 2071, indicating a continued upward trend.
In 2024 and beyond, several factors will contribute to Australia's population growth. One key factor is Net Overseas Migration (NOM), which is expected to remain higher than official forecasts. This suggests that international migration will play a significant role in shaping the country's population dynamics. Additionally, two-thirds of Australia's total forecast growth is expected to occur in the four largest states, particularly in the Greater capital cities of Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.
The population distribution in Australia is uneven, with a high concentration of people in urban areas. As of 2025, 86% of the population resides in urban regions, and this number is expected to increase. Australia's urbanisation rate is remarkable, with 89% of its population living in a handful of urban areas, making it one of the world's most urbanised countries. The median age in Australia is 38.2 years, and the life expectancy is high, at 83.2 years between 2015 and 2017.
The population density in Australia is low compared to other countries. With a total land area of 7,945,610 square kilometres, the population density is approximately 3.6 persons per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries globally. This low density is partly due to the semi-arid and desert geography of the country's interior regions. As a result, most of Australia's population is concentrated along the coastlines.
In summary, Australia's population in 2024 is expected to continue its growth trajectory, driven by factors such as Net Overseas Migration and urbanisation. The population will remain concentrated in the largest states and urban centres, while the country's overall low population density and high life expectancy are notable characteristics.
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Oceania's most populous cities
Oceania, a geographical region including Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, is estimated to have a population of around 46.3 million as of 2024, making it the smallest continent in terms of land area and the second least populated after Antarctica. The largest and most populous country in Oceania is Australia, and its major coastal cities dominate the region.
Sydney, the largest city in Oceania, has a population of 4.6 million residents, while Melbourne, the second-largest city, is home to 4.2 million people. These two cities form the primary urban centres of Oceania and are significantly larger than other cities in the region.
The population of Oceania is diverse, with a mix of highly developed and competitive economies, such as Australia, French Polynesia, Hawaii, New Caledonia, and New Zealand, which rank high in quality of life and the Human Development Index. On the other hand, there are less developed economies, such as Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Western New Guinea.
The concept of Oceania has evolved over time, with different scholars and organisations proposing varying definitions and inclusions. Historically, the term was associated with the Malay Archipelago, the islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, and even further-reaching areas such as the Aleutian Islands, Japan's Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, and the Kuril Islands. However, the United Nations (UN) has utilised its geopolitical definition since its foundation in 1947, adopting four of the five subregions from the 19th century: Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
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Definition of Oceania
Oceania is a geographical region that includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Outside of English-speaking countries, it is generally considered a continent, while mainland Australia is regarded as its continental landmass. In non-English-speaking countries, Australia is sometimes considered an island nation.
The term Oceania was first used in 1824 by French writer Gustave d'Eichthal, who defined it as extending across the entire Pacific Ocean. Another early definition of the region comes from Alexander Clarence Flick, who, in his 1926 book *Modern World History, 1776–1926*, considered Oceania to include all islands in the Pacific, including the Malay Archipelago, the islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, the Aleutian Islands, Japan's Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, and the Kuril Islands. Flick also grouped Australia and New Zealand together as Australasia.
The United Nations (UN) has used its own geopolitical definition of Oceania since its foundation in 1947, which utilises four of the five subregions from the 19th century: Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. This definition consists of distinct political entities, excluding the Bonin Islands, Hawaii, Clipperton Island, the Juan Fernández Islands, and Easter Island. The UN categorises Oceania as one of the major continental divisions of the world, along with Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
The new terms Near Oceania and Remote Oceania were proposed in 1973 by anthropologists Roger Green and Andrew Pawley. By their definition, Near Oceania consists of New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and the Solomon Islands, with the exception of the Santa Cruz Islands.
Definitions of Oceania vary, with the broadest definition encompassing the islands between mainland Asia and the Americas. The island nation of Australia is the only landmass in the area that is large enough to be considered a continent.
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Population distribution
Oceania is a geographical region that includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. It is considered a continent by most non-English-speaking countries, while mainland Australia is regarded as its continental landmass. Oceania spans the Eastern and Western hemispheres and is centred in the water hemisphere. It has a land area of about 9,000,000 square kilometres (3,500,000 sq mi) and a population of around 46.3 million as of 2024, making it the smallest continent in land area and the second-least populated after Antarctica.
The largest and most populous country in Oceania is Australia, with a population of about 25 million people. The largest city in Oceania is Sydney, Australia, with a population of 4.76 million people. Other major cities in Oceania include Melbourne, Australia (4.35 million); Brisbane, Australia (2.24 million); Perth, Australia (1.97 million); and Auckland, New Zealand (1.41 million).
The population of Oceania is diverse, with a mix of highly developed and competitive financial markets in Australia, French Polynesia, Hawaii, New Caledonia, and New Zealand, and less developed economies in Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Western New Guinea. The median age in Oceania is 33.4 years, and 66.2% of the population is urban.
The term Oceania has evolved over time, and its exact range is not precisely defined. Some definitions include only Micronesia, Island Melanesia, and Polynesia, excluding New Zealand, with a population of about 6 million. Others exclude Indonesia and the Philippines, with the top four largest cities in this definition also being in Australia. The broader definition of Oceania includes Indonesia, with the largest city in this context being Jakarta, with a population of 9.8 million.
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Population growth rate
The population of Oceania, a continent that includes Australia, is estimated to be around 46.3 million as of 2024. It is the smallest continent in land area and the second least populated after Antarctica. The largest and most populous country in Oceania is Australia, with an estimated population of 26,974,026 people in 2025. This accounts for approximately 0.33% of the total world population, and Australia ranks 55th in the list of countries by population. The median age in Australia is 38.3 years, and 86.51% of the population is urban.
The population of Oceania has grown over the years, with the yearly population growth rate chart plotting the annual percentage changes in population registered on July 1 of each year from 1951 to 2025. This value can differ from the yearly percentage change shown in the historical table, which assumes homogeneous change in the preceding five-year period. The population growth rate in Oceania is influenced by various factors, including fertility rates, life expectancy, immigration, and emigration.
The fertility rate, or total fertility rate (TFR), is expressed as children per woman. It is calculated as the average number of children a woman will have during her reproductive period (15 to 49 years old) based on current fertility rates and assuming she is not subject to mortality. The fertility rate is a key factor in population growth, as a higher fertility rate will generally lead to a higher population growth rate.
The life expectancy at birth in Oceania is another factor influencing population growth. A higher life expectancy can contribute to a higher population as individuals live longer, resulting in a larger population over time. Immigration and emigration also play a role in population growth. Immigration refers to the number of people moving into a country or region, while emigration is the number of people leaving. A positive net migration, where immigration exceeds emigration, will contribute to population growth, while a negative net migration will have the opposite effect.
The population growth rate in Oceania has implications for various aspects of life in the region. It can impact the economy, with a larger population potentially contributing to economic growth and development. However, a rapidly growing population may also strain resources and infrastructure, affecting areas such as housing, healthcare, and education. Additionally, the population growth rate can influence the cultural and social dynamics in Oceania, shaping the diverse mix of societies and communities across the continent.
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Frequently asked questions
Oceania is a geographical region that includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. It is considered a continent in non-English-speaking countries, while mainland Australia is regarded as its continental landmass.
The population of Oceania is estimated to be around 46.3 million as of 2024.
Australia is the largest and most populous country in Oceania.
The median age in Oceania is 33.4 years.
Australia is the most populous country in Oceania, with a population of over 25 million people. The capital, Canberra, has a population of 381,000 people, while the largest city, Sydney, has a population of 4.76 million.
