Damon Mcknight
Australia, the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth, has a population of approximately 27.4 million people as of December 2024. The population density is low, with an average of 3.6 to 4 people per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries globally. This is due to the semi-arid and desert geography of the interior, as well as urbanisation, with 86.51% to 89% of the population living in urban areas. In terms of global percentage, Australia's population represents 0.33% of the total world population.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population of Australia | 27,400,013 people as of 31 December 2024 |
| Population growth | 91,133 people (0.3%) quarterly; 445,900 people (1.7%) annually |
| Population density | 4 per Km² (9 people per sq. mile) |
| Total land area | 7,682,300 Km² (2,966,151 sq. miles) |
| Percentage of urban population | 86.51% (23,335,357 people in 2025) |
| Median age | 38.3 years |
| Percentage of population born overseas | 31.5% as of 30 June 2024 |
| Top countries of birth for overseas-born population | England, India, China, and New Zealand |
| Percentage of population with European ancestry | 76% as of 2016 |
| Most common language spoken at home | English (72%) |
| Religious identification | "No religion" is the largest group |
| Percentage of population living in capital cities | 68.7% |
| Percentage of population living on 3% of Australia's land | 97% |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's population density is 4 people per square kilometre
Australia is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth. It has a land area of 7,682,300 square kilometres, but a population density of just 4 people per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. This equates to around 0.33% of the world's total population.
The low population density is due to a variety of factors. Firstly, much of the country is semi-arid or desert, with a hot and dry climate that makes it unappealing to live in. This is particularly true of the Outback, the sparsely populated inland area beyond the Great Dividing Range of mountains that run along the Pacific coast. The Outback is a symbol of Australia's strength and independence, evoking a sense of nostalgia for Australians. Secondly, Australia's global isolation has likely played a role in its low population density. The country is separated from its nearest neighbours by the Timor and Arafura Seas to the northwest, the Coral Sea and Torres Strait to the northeast, the Coral Sea Islands Territory by the Great Barrier Reef, and the Tasman Sea to the southeast.
Another factor contributing to the low population density is the high level of urbanisation in Australia. Around 86-89% of the population lives in urban areas, with five cities (including their suburbs) having over one million residents. This means that the population is concentrated in a handful of areas, leaving much of the country sparsely populated. Additionally, the COVID-19 travel restrictions in 2021 led to a decline in the proportion of the population born overseas, which has typically contributed to population growth in Australia.
The population of Australia is projected to continue growing, with estimates ranging from 34.3 to 45.9 million people by 2071. This growth will be driven by a combination of factors, including natural increases (births minus deaths) and net overseas migration. Despite this growth, Australia's vast land area means that it will likely continue to have a low population density compared to other countries.
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86.51% of Australians live in urban areas
Australia is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth. It has a total land area of 7,682,300 km² (2,966,151 sq. miles). The population density in Australia is 4 per Km² (9 people per sq. mile), making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. This is due to the semi-arid and desert geography of much of the interior of the country.
However, despite the low population density, 86.51% of Australians live in urban areas. This equates to 23,335,357 people in 2025. Australia is, in fact, one of the world's most urbanised countries, with 89% of its population living in a handful of urban areas. Most of Australia's population lives close to coastlines, with five cities (including their suburbs) consisting of over one million people.
The central interior of Australia, beyond the Great Dividing Range of mountains that run along the Pacific coast, is known as the Outback. This sparsely populated region evokes a sense of nostalgia for Australians and retains a mystical quality. The semi-arid and desert conditions of the Outback are not conducive to high population densities, and most Australians choose to live in urban areas along the coast.
The urban population of Australia has been influenced by waves of immigration. As of 2020, 29.8% of Australia's population was born overseas, and 76% had European ancestry as of 2016. The percentage of Australians with European backgrounds has been declining since the 1960s and 1970s, coinciding with the abolition of the White Australia policy. In 2024, nearly every country in the world was represented in the birthplaces of Australia's population.
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29.8% of Australians were born overseas
Australia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, with a population density of 3.6 persons per square kilometre of total land area. The population of Australia in 2022 was 26 million, with a projected increase to between 34.3 and 45.9 million by 2071. The current annual growth rate is 1.4%, with a median age of 38.5 years.
In 2020, 29.8% of Australians were born overseas, which equates to around 7.7 million people. This figure decreased to 29.1% in 2021, or 7.5 million people. This was the first drop in overseas-born residents since 2000, which has been attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on travel and migration. The largest group of overseas-born residents in 2020 and 2021 were from England, with numbers exceeding 960,000 in 2020 and 967,000 in 2021. However, this group decreased in size from the previous year. The second-largest group in 2020 were those born in India, with 721,000 people, and this group also experienced the largest increase over the past decade, with numbers more than doubling to 710,000 in 2021. The third-largest group in 2020 were Chinese-born residents, with 650,600 people, followed by New Zealand with 560,000, and the Philippines with 311,000.
The median age of the overseas-born population in Australia has been decreasing over the last decade, and it was recorded as 44 years of age in 2020. In contrast, the median age of Australian-born citizens has been gradually increasing, reaching 34 years of age in 2020. The decrease in the median age of the overseas-born population has slowed the ageing of the total population. For example, the median age of the Italian-born population is 72 years, while the Indian-born population has a median age of 35 years.
Australia has a diverse population due to numerous waves of immigration. The European share of the population rose sharply during the late 18th and 19th centuries due to British colonisation, but this percentage has been declining since the 1960s and 1970s. In 2020, 76% of Australians had European ancestry, and English is the most commonly spoken language, with 72% of the population speaking only English at home. However, other languages are also spoken, including Mandarin Chinese (2.7%), Arabic (1.4%), Vietnamese (1.3%), and Cantonese (1.2%).
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Australia's population is projected to reach 34.3-45.9 million by 2071
Australia's population is projected to reach between 34.3 and 45.9 million by 2071. This estimate is based on the assumption that the current ten-year average annual growth rate of 1.4% will decline to between 0.2% and 0.9%. The median age is also expected to increase from 38.5 years to between 43.8 and 47.6 years during this period. This projection is not a prediction or forecast but rather an illustration of the potential outcome if assumed levels of births, deaths, and migration occur between 2022 and 2071.
The projected population growth in Australia by 2071 can be attributed to several factors, including fertility rates, migration, and life expectancy. Firstly, fertility rates play a significant role in population growth. In the past, Australia's total fertility rate (TFR) peaked at 3.5 babies per woman in 1961 during the 'baby boom'. However, since then, fertility rates have declined, with the TFR reaching a low of 1.7 babies per woman in 2001. The trend towards older ages of mothers is expected to continue, which will impact future population growth.
Migration is another crucial factor influencing Australia's population growth. Historically, waves of immigration have significantly contributed to the country's population increase. In recent years, the proportion of Australia's population born outside Australia has been around 31.5%, with people from England, India, China, and New Zealand forming the largest groups. While migration has added to the population, there has also been a rise in migrant departures, with an 8% increase in 2023 compared to the previous year.
Lastly, life expectancy plays a role in population growth. In 2021-2023, life expectancy at birth in Australia was 81.1 years for males and 85.1 years for females, a slight decrease from the previous year. However, historically, Australia has had high life expectancy rates, with an average of 83.2 years between 2015 and 2017, placing it among the highest in the world.
In summary, Australia's population growth projection of reaching 34.3-45.9 million by 2071 is influenced by various factors, including fertility rates, migration patterns, and life expectancy. While this projection provides valuable insights, it is essential to recognize that actual outcomes may vary depending on the specific levels of births, deaths, and migration experienced in the coming decades.
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97% of the population lives on 3% of the land
Australia is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries in the world. It has a total land area of 7,682,300 square kilometres (2,966,151 square miles). However, despite its vast size, Australia's population is equivalent to only 0.33% of the world's total population, ranking 55th in terms of countries by population. The country has a population density of 3.6 persons per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries globally.
This low population density is largely due to the semi-arid and desert geography of much of Australia's interior, also known as the Outback. The Outback, with its arid and isolated landscape, is a striking contrast to the highly populated coastal areas of the country. While the Outback evokes a sense of nostalgia and independence for Australians, it is less desirable as a place to live due to its harsh climate.
As a result of this geographical distribution, 97% of Australia's population resides on just 3% of its land. This means that a significant majority of Australians live in urban areas near coastlines. In fact, Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world, with 86.51% to 89% of its population concentrated in a handful of urban centres.
This urban concentration has implications for the country's demographics and culture. For example, the majority of Australians speak English at home, and English is widely considered the de facto national language, reflecting the country's historical ties to the United Kingdom. Additionally, the urban centres along the coastlines have become hubs for immigration, with 29.8% of Australia's population being born overseas as of 2020.
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Frequently asked questions
86.51% of the population of Australia lives in urban areas.
Australia has a population density of 3.6 to 4 people per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world.
In 2024, 31.5% of Australia's population was born overseas. This percentage has been increasing since 2022, attributed to the removal of COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Australia's Indigenous population was estimated to be between 300,000 and 2,400,000 at the time of British colonisation in 1788. Today, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population has a net undercount of 17.4% in the Census.
