Leslie Massey
Australia is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth, lying between the Pacific and Indian oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. It has a population of about 27 million people, with an average population density of 3.4 to 3.6 people per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. The population is heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in the south-eastern region between South East Queensland and Adelaide. In this introduction to the topic of the relationship between population and landmass in Australia, we will explore the unique characteristics of this vast country and how its population is distributed across its diverse landscape.
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Population density
Australia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, with a population density of 3.4-3.6 people per square kilometre. This is due to several factors, including the semi-arid and desert geography of much of the interior of the country, with approximately 40% of Australia's interior being desert. The Tropic of Capricorn cuts across the continent, and the cities are not located far south of the tropics. The average winter temperatures in June and July usually remain above 50 °F, and the average summer temperatures in January and February are around 70 °F. As a result, many Australians celebrate Christmas on the beach.
The population is heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in the south-eastern region between South East Queensland to the north-east and Adelaide to the south-west. This is also where the majority of the Indigenous population lives, with almost 60% living in New South Wales and Queensland, making up 2-5% of those states' populations. Australia's population is highly urbanised, with 67% living in metropolitan areas in 2018, and half residing in the three largest cities. The cities with the highest population density are Melbourne (521 people per sq. km), Adelaide (444 people per sq. km), and Sydney (441 residents per sq. km).
Australia has experienced its fastest population growth since the 1950s, with its population currently at about 27 million people. This growth is due to several waves of immigration, with the European component of the population rising sharply in the late 18th and 19th centuries due to immigration, though this is now declining. Since the end of the White Australia policy in 1973, there has been a large wave of immigration from Asia, the largest source of immigrants.
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Urbanisation
Australia is currently experiencing its fastest population growth since the 1950s. This has led to increased urban density in its cities and towns. Despite having a low population density of 3.4-3.6 people per square kilometre, Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world, with 75% of its population living on just 2.6% of its land mass. This is due to high rates of immigration since the 20th century, with immigrants largely settling in coastal, urban areas.
Australia's population has grown significantly since British colonisation in 1788, with numerous waves of immigration contributing to this growth. Initially, the majority of immigrants came from the British Isles, though there was also significant immigration from China and Germany during the 19th century. Following World War II, Australia experienced a large wave of immigration from across Europe, particularly Southern and Eastern Europe. Since the end of the White Australia policy in 1973, there has been a large and continuous wave of immigration from Asia and other parts of the world.
This high rate of immigration has contributed to the urbanisation of Australia, with 89-90% of its population living in a handful of urban areas. In 2016, more than two-thirds of Australians lived in a capital city, with 40% of the population concentrated in the two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne. Perth has recorded the largest increase in population over the past 20 years, with a 54.4% increase in residents. Despite this, Perth has the highest proportion of detached houses among all the capital cities, with 85.5% of its housing stock in this category.
In contrast, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has seen an increase in medium to high-density housing, with 34.2% of dwellings in this category in 2024, up from 25.1% ten years prior. However, it is important to note that the relationship between population density and rental growth is weak. While precincts with high population density may show slightly stronger growth in unit rents, there is little relationship between population density and rental or value appreciation for houses.
Overall, Australia's high urbanisation rate and low population density are a result of its large land mass and high rates of immigration to urban, coastal areas. With a population of about 27 million people, Australia is less populated than the US state of Texas, which has a population of about 30 million. This highlights the relatively low population density of Australia compared to other countries or regions.
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Immigration
Australia's population has grown significantly since British colonisation in 1788, with numerous waves of immigration contributing to this growth. The country's population density is currently 3.4-3.6 people per square kilometre, making it one of the least densely populated countries globally. This low density is attributed to the semi-arid and desert geography of the interior and the high urbanisation rate, with 75% of Australians living on just 2.6% of the country's landmass.
Historically, between 1788 and the Second World War, most immigrants to Australia came from the British Isles, particularly England, Ireland, and Scotland. There was also significant immigration from China and Germany during the 19th century. After the Second World War, Australia received a large wave of immigration from across Europe, particularly Southern and Eastern Europe. The end of the White Australia policy in 1973 led to an official policy of multiculturalism and further increased immigration from diverse regions.
The impact of immigration on Australia's population and landmass relationship is evident in the country's urban areas. Despite the low overall population density, cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide have higher population densities. Sydney, for example, has a population density of 441 residents per square kilometre. Immigration has contributed to the growth of these urban centres, with Perth recording a 54.4% increase in population over the past 20 years.
In summary, immigration has been a significant factor in Australia's population growth and urban development. With ongoing high rates of immigration, the relationship between population and landmass in Australia is likely to continue evolving, particularly in urban areas.
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Indigenous population
Australia's Indigenous population, comprising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, is estimated to be around 984,000 as of June 2021, representing about 3.8% of the country's total population. This marks a notable increase from the 2016 estimate of 798,400, and the Indigenous population's percentage of the total population has been steadily rising since 2001. This increase is attributed to various factors, including changing identification in the census, greater participation, and a higher response rate to the Indigenous status question.
Indigenous Australians have a younger age structure than the non-Indigenous population, with a median age of 24 years, and one-third of the Indigenous population being under 15 years old. The Indigenous population is also more male-dominated, with a sex ratio of 101 males for every 100 females. Geographically, 62% of Indigenous Australians reside outside major cities, with 12% in very remote areas. The Central and North Coast of New South Wales is home to the largest Indigenous population within Indigenous Regions (IREGs).
The Indigenous population in Australia faces several challenges, including higher birth rates and lower life expectancy than their non-Indigenous counterparts. Alarmingly, the Indigenous community experiences significantly higher mortality rates, particularly among children aged 0 to 4. Additionally, chronic diseases like diabetes are more prevalent, and suicide rates are a pressing concern, with suicide being the fifth-highest cause of death among Indigenous Australians in 2014.
Cultural factors play a crucial role in the wellbeing of Indigenous Australians. The transmission of knowledge, traditions, ceremonies, and culture through language, storytelling, and connection to community, land, and spirituality are essential for their social and emotional health. In the 2021 Census, around 77,000 Indigenous individuals reported speaking an Indigenous language at home, with over 150 distinct Indigenous languages identified.
Historically, the Indigenous population in Australia was estimated to be between 300,000 and 1,100,000 before British colonisation in 1788, with various tribes speaking different languages. Today, most of the Indigenous population resides on the east coast, particularly in New South Wales and Queensland, constituting around 2-5% of those states' populations.
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Climate
Australia's climate is the second driest of any continent, after Antarctica. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) reports that 80% of the land receives less than 600 mm (24 in) of rainfall annually, and 50% gets less than 300 mm (12 in). Australia has a very low annual average rainfall of 419 mm (16 in). This dryness is caused by the subtropical high-pressure belt (subtropical ridge), which brings dry air down from the upper atmosphere. This high pressure is usually to the south of Australia in the summer and over the north in the winter, resulting in dry summers in the south and dry winters in the north.
The Intertropical Convergence Zone also moves south during Australia's summer, bringing the Australian monsoon to northern parts of the country. The climate is variable, with frequent droughts lasting several seasons, caused in part by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. Snow at sea level is rarely recorded on mainland Australia, except in southern Victoria. However, snow is more common in south-western Tasmania and falls occasionally in the nation's capital, Canberra, and the cities of Orange and Ballarat.
There are six major groups and 27 subgroups of climate zones across the country. The northern Australian and upper eastern Coastal Plains range from grassland to subtropical to equatorial, with no winter and very hot summers. The lower southwestern and eastern Coastal Plains and Tasmania have a predominantly temperate climate, with mild to warm summers and cold winters. These areas also have the highest humidity on the mainland.
The climate of Queensland is characterised by two seasons: a winter period of warm temperatures with minimal rainfall, and a hot, sticky summer with more rain. The southern coastal parts of the state have a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The majority of the state has an arid and semi-arid climate.
Tasmania, Victoria, and the core region of the southeast have a more moderate and temperate climate. Central and western Australia are sparsely populated, and large areas of the Northern Territory and the desert regions are uninhabited. Approximately 40% of Australia's interior is desert, with Type B climates. The large land mass can heat up during the summer, triggering high temperatures. Low humidity allows heat to escape into the atmosphere after sunset, resulting in significant temperature variations between day and night.
Along the northern coastal region, there are more tropical Type A climates. Closer to the equator, the sea moderates temperatures, and areas around Darwin and Cape York have little temperature variation. Temperatures in Darwin average about 90 °F in the summer and 86 °F in the winter. Spring monsoons bring additional rainfall from February to March.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has a population of about 27 million people.
Australia has a population density of 3.4-3.6 people per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world.
The population of Australia is heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in the south-eastern region between South East Queensland and Adelaide. The country is highly urbanised, with 67% of the population living in metropolitan areas in 2018.
