Lyla Lindsey
Australia's population has been on an upward trajectory since 1901, growing from 3.8 million to an estimated 27.9 million in 2025. This growth is attributed to numerous waves of immigration, with the European component's share of the population rising sharply in the late 18th and 19th centuries. While the population growth rate has slowed in recent years, it remains positive, and the population is projected to exceed 30 million by 2029. The population is heavily concentrated in urban areas, particularly along the Eastern, South Eastern, and Southern coastlines, with an average population density of 3.4 to 4 people per square kilometre.
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Population growth
Australia's population has grown significantly since 1901, when it was 3.8 million. As of 2025, the population is estimated to be around 27.9 million, making it the 54th most populous country in the world and the most populous in Oceania. The population is expected to exceed 30 million by 2029 and reach between 34.3 and 45.9 million by 2071.
The population growth rate in Australia has been positive, but it is expected to slow down in the coming years. The annual growth rate was 1.7% as of December 2024, with a quarterly growth rate of 0.3%. The current ten-year average annual growth rate is projected to decline from 1.4% to between 0.2% and 0.9%.
Several factors contribute to Australia's population growth. One of the main factors is immigration. Net overseas migration is expected to be around 340,000 in 2024-25 before moderating and stabilising from 2026-27. The European component of the population has been declining as a percentage, while the number of people born overseas continues to increase. As of June 2024, Australia's population included 8.6 million people born outside the country, with the largest groups born in England, India, China, and New Zealand.
Another factor influencing population growth is the birth rate. The total fertility rate is projected to fall to a record low of 1.45 babies per woman in 2024-25, with a gradual return to a rate of 1.62 by 2031-32. The fertility rate is expected to stabilise as the proportion of women without children has not increased significantly. As a result, the number of births is expected to recover, with a projected natural increase of 130,000 in 2034-35.
However, it is important to note that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on population growth. The pandemic led to a decline in life expectancy in Australia for the second consecutive period in 2021-23. It is expected to result in higher mortality rates for those aged 50 and over until 2027-28, with excess mortality subsiding and returning to pre-pandemic trends by 2028-29. The pandemic also reduced net interstate migration as state and territory governments temporarily restricted movements.
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Fertility rates
Australia's fertility rate has been declining since the Second World War, falling from 3.55 children per woman in 1960 to 1.5 in 2025. This is below the replacement level of 2.1, which is the number of births per woman needed to sustain a population. The total fertility rate is projected to fall further to a record low of 1.45 babies per woman in 2024–2025 before gradually returning to, and stabilising at a rate of 1.62 by 2031–2032. This projected recovery in fertility rates is because the proportion of women without children has not increased significantly in recent years.
The decline in fertility rates is attributed to several factors. Firstly, younger women are delaying childbirth due to priorities such as career advancement, extended education, and travel. This has resulted in higher fertility rates for older women. Additionally, there may be a ""quantum" effect, which suggests an increase in the number of babies women will have over their lifetime.
The decreasing fertility rate in Australia is part of a broader global trend. Birth rates in advanced economies, including China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the Russian Federation, are experiencing population decline. This trend has significant implications for the future, including a shrinking workforce, a growing burden on younger generations to support an ageing population, and potential economic stagnation.
To address these challenges, Australia may need to increasingly rely on migrant inflows to sustain its population growth. However, net overseas migration is expected to slow in the coming years, which will further impact population growth. The Australian population is projected to reach between 34.3 and 45.9 million people by 2071, with the median age increasing to between 43.8 and 47.6 years.
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Life expectancy
There are differences in life expectancy between population groups in Australia. For instance, there is a gap in life expectancy at birth between First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians, with First Nations males and females experiencing lower life expectancy at all ages. In 2021-2023, the difference was 8.8 years for males and 8.1 years for females. However, it is important to note that these estimates may be impacted by the lack of complete and reliable mortality data, especially for low-income countries and among adults and the elderly.
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Migration
Internal migration within Australia is also notable, with variations in population distribution across states and territories. Capital cities experienced a net loss of 11,800 people due to internal migration in one quarter, the largest quarterly net loss on record. Conversely, the capitals collectively witnessed a net increase of 373,000 people through overseas migration during the 2023-24 period.
Australia has high rates of interstate migration compared to other countries, although these rates have declined from their peaks in the 1980s and 1990s. The COVID-19 pandemic further reduced interstate migration as state and territory governments imposed temporary travel restrictions. However, with the easing of travel restrictions in late 2021, net overseas migration increased rapidly, driven by the return of temporary visa holders and international students.
Looking forward, net overseas migration is projected to slow down from 2024-25, contributing to an overall slowdown in population growth. This moderation in migration patterns is expected to continue, with population growth forecast to stabilise across all states and territories. Despite this, Australia's population is still expected to surpass 30 million by 2029, reflecting the cumulative impact of historical migration trends and natural increase.
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Population density
Australia's population density is low compared to other countries. As of June 2024, the population density was 3.5 people per square kilometre, though other sources state 3.4 or 3.6 people per square kilometre. This makes Australia the 54th or 55th most populous country in the world, and the third least densely populated country, after Namibia and Mongolia.
The population density varies across the country. Most of Australia's population lives close to coastlines, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern seaboards. The urban population has increased from 58% of the total population in 1911 to 86.51% in 2025. In 2024, the areas with the highest density were all near Adelaide's central business district, with 3,100 people per square kilometre. Sydney had the largest combined area in the high and very high-density classes (194 square kilometres), followed by Melbourne (69 square kilometres) and Brisbane (24 square kilometres). Perth, Canberra, and Adelaide were the other capital cities with areas in the high or very high-density classes.
The population of Australia is estimated to be 27,940,400 as of 21 July 2025, with a median age of 38.3 years. The population has grown from an estimated 300,000 to 2,400,000 Indigenous Australians at the time of British colonisation in 1788. This growth is due to numerous waves of immigration, particularly from Europe after the Second World War. The European share of the population is now declining. Australia's population is projected to reach between 34.3 and 45.9 million by 2071.
Population growth in Australia is positive, though it is slowing. Net overseas migration is forecast to be 340,000 in 2024-25, and the total fertility rate is projected to fall to a record low of 1.45 babies per woman in 2024-25. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted population trends, with higher mortality rates expected until 2027-28, and reduced net interstate migration due to travel restrictions.
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Frequently asked questions
The population of Australia as of 21 July 2025 is 27,940,400.
The population growth rate of Australia is 1.7% as of 31 December 2024.
The population density of Australia is 3.4 people per square kilometre as of June 2022, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world.
The median age in Australia is 38.3 years.
The life expectancy in Australia was 83.2 years between 2015 and 2017, one of the highest in the world. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a decline in life expectancy to 81.1 years for males and 85.1 years for females between 2021 and 2023.
