Lyla Lindsey
Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by area, but its population is heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in the south-eastern region between South East Queensland and Adelaide. The country's population is estimated to be around 28 million, with the majority living in urban areas near coastlines. Australia is highly urbanised, with 67% of its population living in metropolitan areas surrounding state capitals in 2018. The coastal cities are attractive due to their accessibility, pleasant climate, and availability of jobs and services. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide are metropolitan areas with over a million inhabitants each.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 27,981,800 as of 14 August 2025 |
| Population Density | 3.6 persons per square kilometre of total land area |
| Population Distribution | Heavily concentrated on the coast, particularly in the south-eastern region between South East Queensland and Adelaide |
| Urbanisation | 67% of the population lived in metropolitan areas in 2018 |
| Metropolitan Areas | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide |
| Indigenous Population | More spread across the country |
| Non-Indigenous Population | Concentrated in coastal cities |
| Immigrant Population | 30% of the total population, with Asia being the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century |
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What You'll Learn
Why coastal cities are so popular
Australia's population is heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in the south-eastern region between South East Queensland and Adelaide. The country's population is expected to exceed 30 million by 2029, with most people living close to coastlines. Australia is highly urbanised, with 67% of its population living in metropolitan areas in 2018.
There are several reasons why coastal cities are so popular in Australia. Firstly, cities typically developed in coastal areas due to their accessibility for trade and travel from other countries. Coastal cities also tend to have milder climates and access to beaches, which are attractive features for residents. Furthermore, these cities offer better services and more job opportunities, making them particularly appealing to migrants from other parts of the world. The combination of accessibility, favourable climate, and economic opportunities makes coastal cities desirable for many Australians and immigrants alike.
The country's five largest cities, including their suburbs, have populations of over one million people. These cities are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, all of which are located in coastal regions. This concentration of population in a few major cities contributes to the overall trend of people favouring coastal living.
It is worth noting that the distribution of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians differs. Indigenous Australians are spread throughout the country, with some living in more isolated inland areas and others in cities. On the other hand, non-Indigenous Australians are more likely to reside in coastal cities, contributing to the higher population density in these regions.
In conclusion, Australia's coastal cities are popular due to historical trade advantages, desirable climates, and the concentration of services and job opportunities. The country's urbanisation and immigration trends further contribute to the high population density in these regions. As a result, Australia's coastal cities continue to be focal points for people seeking a range of economic and lifestyle benefits.
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Indigenous Australians' locations
Indigenous Australians consist of two distinct groups: Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders. Aboriginal Australians are the indigenous peoples of the Australian mainland and many of its islands, excluding the ethnically distinct people of the Torres Strait Islands. Torres Strait Islanders are the people of the seas between Queensland and Papua New Guinea, located in Melanesia.
In the past, Aboriginal people lived over large sections of the continental shelf. They were isolated on many of the smaller offshore islands and Tasmania when the land was inundated at the start of the Holocene inter-glacial period, about 11,700 years ago. Despite this, Aboriginal people maintained extensive networks within the continents, and certain groups maintained relationships with Torres Strait Islanders and the Makassar people of modern-day Indonesia.
Indigenous Australians tend to live throughout the country, some in more isolated places inland and others in cities. In 2016, over 33% of the Indigenous population lived in major cities, compared to about 75% of the non-Indigenous population. A further 24% lived in "inner regional" areas, 20% in "outer regional", and nearly 18% lived in "remote" or "very remote" areas.
According to the 2016 census, the geographical distribution of the Queensland population self-identified as having Indigenous status (Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islanders, or both) by Indigenous Locations (ILOC). In the 2021 Australian Census, 812,728 people self-identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin, representing 3.2% of the total population of Australia. Of these Indigenous Australians, 91.4% identified as Aboriginal, 4.2% identified as Torres Strait Islander, and 4.4% identified with both groups.
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The most populated cities
Australia's population 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 its population living in metropolitan areas in 2018.
The coastal cities of Australia are its most densely populated areas, with five cities (including their suburbs) boasting populations of over one million people. These cities are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Sydney, for instance, is a popular choice due to its pleasant climate and access to jobs, services, and beaches.
The majority of Australians live near coastlines, and the country's population is expected to exceed 30 million by 2029. This population growth is largely due to numerous waves of immigration, with Asia being the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century.
Indigenous Australians tend to live throughout the country, with some in more isolated inland areas and others in cities. On the other hand, non-indigenous Australians are more likely to reside in the coastal cities, attracted by better accessibility, services, and job opportunities.
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Population density
Australia's population 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. This includes cities with more than one million inhabitants, such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. These cities, along with their suburbs, contribute to Australia's urban population.
The coastal cities of Australia are the most densely populated areas. The country's population distribution is uneven, with most people choosing to live in these urban centres, particularly along the coastlines. This is due to various factors, including accessibility, trade opportunities, pleasant climate, and access to jobs and services. The coastal cities also offer better access to beaches, which is another attractive feature for residents.
Indigenous Australians, on the other hand, tend to live throughout the country, with some in more isolated inland places and others in cities. Their population is more spread out across the country, in contrast to the non-indigenous population, which is concentrated in the coastal cities. This difference in settlement patterns is influenced by factors such as historical context, cultural preferences, and access to opportunities.
While Australia is the 54th most populous country globally and the most populous in Oceania, it has a low population density overall. With an average population density of 3.6 persons per square kilometre of total land area, Australia is considered one of the most sparsely populated countries. This is due to its large land area of 7,688,287 square kilometres, making it the sixth-largest country in the world. The vast interior regions, such as the deserts, have significantly lower population densities compared to the coastal cities.
The population distribution and density in Australia have been influenced by various factors, including historical immigration patterns, urbanisation trends, and the appeal of coastal living. The country's vast land area and diverse landscapes, including its interior deserts and tropical rainforests along the coast, also contribute to the varying population densities across different regions.
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Population growth
Australia's population has grown significantly since British colonisation in 1788, when the population was estimated to be between 300,000 and 2,400,000 Indigenous Australians. As of August 2025, the population is estimated to be around 27.9 million, with expectations that it will exceed 30 million by 2029. This growth is largely attributed to numerous waves of immigration, with immigrants currently accounting for 30% of the population, the highest proportion in any country with a population over 10 million.
The population is heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in the south-eastern region between South East Queensland and Adelaide. This is due to the development of cities in coastal areas, which offer better accessibility for trade and more attractive climates. The majority of the population lives near coastlines, with five cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, having more than one million inhabitants. These metropolitan areas are part of the Greater Capital City Statistical Areas, where 67% of the population resided as of 2018.
The distribution of the population varies between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Indigenous Australians tend to live throughout the country, in both isolated inland areas and cities. In contrast, non-Indigenous Australians are more concentrated in coastal cities, which offer better accessibility, services, and job opportunities, attracting both local and international migrants.
Despite its growing population, Australia is considered sparsely populated due to its large land area, with an average population density of 3.6 persons per square kilometre. However, this varies across the country, with some metropolitan areas having over one million people. The population growth and urban concentration, particularly in coastal cities, have contributed to Australia's demographic shift towards an older population, similar to other developed countries.
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Frequently asked questions
Most people in Australia live close to the coastlines, particularly in urban areas on the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern seaboards.
Coastal cities are more accessible, have better services, and more jobs available. The climate is also more pleasant and there is easy access to beaches.
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide are metropolitan areas with more than one million inhabitants.
