Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a land area of approximately 2,969,907 square miles. Despite its massive size, it has a low population density of 3.3-3.6 people per square kilometre, making it the third least densely populated country globally. Most of Australia's population is concentrated in urban areas along the coast, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern, and Southern seaboards. The interior and western regions are mostly desert, making human settlement challenging due to extreme conditions and limited access to water. This results in sparsely populated areas, with some regions having a population density of less than 0.1 people per square kilometre. The low population density in these regions has led to a reliance on industries such as mining and livestock grazing for economic stability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population of Australia | 27,981,800 as of 14 August 2025 |
| Population growth | 1.4% per year from 30 June 1994 to 30 June 2024 |
| Population density | 3.5 people per square kilometre as of June 2024 |
| Major cities population | 73% of the total population |
| Inner regional population | 25% of the total population |
| Remote and very remote population | 1.9% of the total population |
| Highest growth rate cities | Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth |
| Net overseas migration | 435,000 people in 2023-24 |
| Natural increase | 106,000 people in 2023-24 |
| Fertility rate | 1.49 babies per woman in 2023-24 |
| Median age | 38.3 years as of 30 June 2024 |
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Population density
Australia's population density was 3.5 people per square kilometre as of June 2024, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. The population of Australia is estimated to be 27.98 million as of August 2025, with the country being the 54th most populous in the world and the most populous in Oceania. The population is concentrated in major cities, with almost three-quarters (73%) of people living in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern coastlines. The largest cities in Australia are Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, which all recorded high population growth rates in the 2023-24 financial year.
The population density of Australia varies across the country, with Sydney having the largest combined area in the high and very high-density classes (194 km²), followed by Melbourne (69 km²) and Brisbane (24 km²). Perth, Canberra and Adelaide are the other capital cities with areas in the high or very high-density classes. The majority of Australians live in major cities, with the next most populous region being Inner Regional Australia, followed by Outer Regional Australia, and then Remote and Very Remote Australia.
The population of Australia has grown older, with the median age increasing from 33.4 years in 1994 to 38.3 years in 2024. The percentage of the population aged 65 and over has increased from 12% to 17% during this time. The population growth rate has also slowed, with the natural increase (births minus deaths) decreasing from 135,000 people in 1993-94 to 106,000 people in 2023-24. Fertility rates have declined, and the number of deaths has increased faster than the number of births, reflecting the declining fertility rate and ageing of the population.
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted Australia's population growth, with international border restrictions causing a historical low of 0.1% growth in 2020-21. However, the easing of restrictions and the return of overseas migration in 2021 led to a rebound in population growth, with a rate of 2.5% in 2022-23 and 2.0% in 2023-24. Net overseas migration has been the main driver of population growth in Australia, with natural increase and internal migration also contributing to growth, particularly in capital cities.
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Population growth
Australia's population growth has been driven primarily by net overseas migration, which has increased from a net inflow of 47,000 people in 1993-94 to 435,000 in 2023-24. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a decline in population growth in 2020-21, with international border restrictions resulting in a historical low of 0.1% growth. However, the easing of restrictions and the return of overseas migration in 2021 led to a rebound in population growth, with Australia recording its highest growth rates in decades.
Australia's population growth rate has averaged 1.4% per year over the past three decades, with the population increasing from 17.8 million in 1994 to 27.2 million in 2024. The median age during this period rose from 33.4 years to 38.3 years, reflecting the ageing population. The percentage of the population aged 65 and over increased from 12% to 17%, while the fertility rate declined from 1.85 babies per woman to 1.49.
The majority of Australia's population growth has been concentrated in urban areas, particularly the Eastern, South Eastern, and Southern seaboards. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth have experienced the highest population increases, with Perth having the highest growth rate of 3.1%. The number of overseas-born residents in Australia has also increased, with 31% of the population born overseas as of 2023.
Australia's population growth has been impacted by various factors, including immigration waves, the post-World War II baby boom, and falling fertility rates. The country's population is expected to exceed 30 million by 2029, making it the most populous country in Oceania.
While Australia's population growth rate has been significant, it is important to note that Australia is the driest permanently inhabited continent and has a low population density of 3.5 people per square kilometre as of June 2024. The country's infrastructure and quality of life may pose challenges to supporting a larger population in certain regions.
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Migration
Australia is the world's driest and flattest inhabited continent, with an average population density of 3.6 people per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. Its population is concentrated mainly in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern seaboards, with 73% of people living in major cities. The remainder (1.9%) live in remote and very remote areas.
The population of Australia has grown from an estimated 300,000 to 2,400,000 Indigenous Australians at the time of British colonisation in 1788, to 27.2 million in 2024, and 27,981,800 in 2025. This growth is due to numerous waves of immigration, with the European component's share of the population rising sharply in the late 18th and 19th centuries. Australia has the highest rate of immigration of any developed country, with net overseas migration being the main driver of population growth. In 2023-24, 31% of people in Australia were born overseas, and almost half of Australians had a parent born overseas.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected Australia's population growth, with international border restrictions causing it to fall to a historical low of 0.1% in 2020-21. However, following the easing of restrictions and the return of overseas migration in 2021, Australia's population grew by 2.5% in 2022-23 and 2.0% in 2023-24. The total fertility rate is 1.49 babies per woman in 2023-24, which is below the stable population rate of 2.1.
In terms of internal migration, the number of people living in the Australian Capital Territory increased by 7,500 (1.6%) in 2023-24. Net internal migration was positive for Canberra and Brisbane and Perth, but negative for Sydney and Melbourne. Brisbane and Perth were the only capitals to have net internal migration gains.
Australia's population is projected to exceed 30 million by 2029.
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Population distribution
Australia's population is estimated to be 27.98 million as of August 2025, with an average population density of 3.6 people per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. The population is concentrated in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern, and Southern seaboards, with over 70% of people living close to coastlines.
The majority of Australians (73%) reside in major cities, with the remaining population spread across inner regional areas (25%) and outer regional, remote, and very remote regions (1.9%). The recent growth in regional Australia has been attributed to natural increase, internal migration, and overseas migration. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth have witnessed significant population increases, with Perth having the highest growth rate of 3.1%.
The population distribution in Australia is influenced by various factors, including geographical location and climate. Being the driest permanently inhabited continent, Australia's rainfall patterns impact population concentration, with the Great Dividing Range along the east coast influencing the distribution of people.
The median age of the Australian population is 38.3 years, with the percentage of people aged 65 and over increasing from 12% to 17% between 1994 and 2024. The largest age group is individuals aged 30-39, and the country has a diverse population, with almost half of Australians having at least one parent born overseas.
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Major cities
Australia's population is concentrated in major cities, which are home to close to three-quarters (73%) of the total population. The majority of Australians reside in major cities, with the next most populous region being Inner Regional Australia, followed by Outer Regional Australia, and then Remote and Very Remote Australia.
The country's five largest cities (including their suburbs) consist of over one million people. These cities are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. In the 2023-24 financial year, Melbourne had the largest growth, with an increase of 142,600 people, followed by Sydney (107,500), Brisbane (72,900), and Perth (72,700). Perth had the highest growth rate (3.1%), followed by Melbourne and Brisbane (both 2.7%). Sydney had the largest combined area in the high and very high-density classes (194 km²), followed by Melbourne (69 km²) and Brisbane (24 km²).
The population density of Australia is 3.5 people per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. Australia's population growth has been driven by net overseas migration, which increased from a net inflow of 47,000 people in 1993-94 to 435,000 people in 2023-24. The COVID-19 pandemic affected population growth, with international border restrictions causing a historical low of 0.1% in 2020-21. However, the easing of restrictions and the return of overseas migration in 2021 led to a rebound in population growth, with a rate of 2.5% in 2022-23.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia's population is concentrated mainly in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern seaboards. The majority of Australians reside in major cities, with the next most populous region being Inner Regional Australia, followed by Outer Regional Australia, and then Remote and Very Remote Australia. As of June 2024, the Australian Capital Territory had the lowest population increase of 7,500 people.
As of 14 August 2025, Australia's population is estimated to be 27,981,800.
As of June 2024, Australia's population density was 3.5 people per square kilometre. This makes it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world.
