Damon Mcknight
Australia has the eighth-largest immigrant population in the world, with immigrants accounting for 30% of its near 28-million population. The country's population density is 3.4 persons per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries globally. Australia's population has quadrupled since World War I, largely due to immigration. The majority of immigrants to Australia come from Asia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 27,964,500 - 27,966,300 (as of August 2025) |
| Global Rank | 54th - 55th most populous country |
| Population Density | 3.4 - 4 people per square kilometre |
| Total Land Area | 7,682,300 square kilometres |
| Urban Population | 67% - 86.51% |
| Median Age | 38.3 years |
| Immigrant Population | 30% of the total population |
| Fertility Rate | 2.1 stable, 2 leads to an aging population |
| Expected Population by 2029 | Over 30 million |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's population density
The population of Australia is estimated to be around 27,966,300–28,000,000, making it the 54th or 55th most populous country worldwide and the most populous in Oceania. The population is highly urbanised, with 67% living in metropolitan areas in 2018 and 86.51% classified as urban in 2025. The country's largest cities are Sydney and Melbourne, each with a population of more than five million. Other metropolitan areas with over a million inhabitants include Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.
While the overall population density is low, the density in Australia's biggest cities is higher. Melbourne's inner city has the country's highest population density at 22,400 people per square kilometre. Potts Point and Pyrmont, in Sydney's inner city, have the second-highest density in Australia at 16,700 and 16,500 people per square kilometre, respectively. Parramatta, an inner suburb of Sydney, is also considered densely populated with 4,800 people per square kilometre.
The population density in Australia matters for similar reasons as in any other country. It is essential for governments and councils to understand population density to effectively plan cities. It helps determine the number of buses and trains needed, the number of police stations required, and when to build new grocery stores or shopping centres. Population density is also a consideration for homebuyers and renters when deciding on a place to live. Additionally, population density affects the concentration of jobs, with higher density areas typically offering more job opportunities.
Some argue that the measures used for Australian population density are inaccurate. Dr Michael Grosvenor, an urban planning expert, claims that simply dividing the land area by the total population may not yield the true density of a city. He suggests that including inner-city suburbs like Potts Point and Ultimo would increase the population density to above 15,000 people per square kilometre.
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Population distribution
Australia's population is estimated to be around 28 million people, with a population density of 3.4 to 3.6 people per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries globally. The country's population is highly urbanised, with 67% living in metropolitan areas (as of 2018). The population is heavily concentrated on the eastern seaboard, particularly in the south-eastern region between South East Queensland and Adelaide. The metropolitan areas of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide all have populations of over one million.
Australia has the eighth-largest immigrant population in the world, with immigrants accounting for 30% of the total population. This is a higher proportion than in any other nation with a population above 10 million. The country has one of the highest foreign-born populations globally, with Asia being the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century. Australia's population has quadrupled since World War I, largely due to immigration.
The median age in Australia is 38.3 years, and the country is experiencing a demographic shift towards an older population, with more retirees and fewer people of working age. The total fertility rate is below the replacement rate of 2.1, contributing to an ageing population.
Australia's population is expected to exceed 30 million by 2029. The country's population growth is influenced by factors such as immigration, fertility rates, and life expectancy. With its highly developed economy, abundant natural resources, and high quality of life, Australia continues to attract immigrants and shape the distribution and composition of its population.
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Immigration and population growth
Australia's population growth averaged 1.4% per year from 30 June 1994 to 30 June 2024. The country's population was 27.2 million as of 30 June 2024, comprising 18.6 million people born in Australia and 8.6 million people born overseas. The proportion of Australia's population born outside the country was 31.5% in 2024, up from 30.7% in 2023. This increase reflects the high levels of immigration Australia has experienced since the late 19th century. In fact, the overseas-born population has been growing at a faster rate than the Australian-born population since the beginning of post-World War II migration.
Overseas migration has been a significant contributor to Australia's population growth, especially in recent years. In the year ending 30 June 2024, net overseas migration contributed a gain of 446,000 people to Australia's population, a decrease from the record 536,000 people the previous year. This drop can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the introduction of international border restrictions, which caused a net outflow of migrants from Australia in 2020-21 for the first time since World War II. However, as restrictions eased in late 2021, net overseas migration rebounded, contributing to the country's population growth.
Historically, more people have migrated to Australia than have migrated away, resulting in a net inflow that contributes to population growth. This trend temporarily reversed during the pandemic, with border closures and travel restrictions impacting migration patterns. In 2020-21, there was a net gain of Australian-born residents, a reversal from the long-term pattern observed before the pandemic. However, as borders reopened in 2022, Australia experienced a period of record net overseas migration as arrivals caught up after nearly two years of restrictions.
In 2023-24, the top countries of birth for migrant arrivals to Australia were India, China, the Philippines, Australia, and the United Kingdom. While net gains from India and China were lower than the previous year, net gains from the United Kingdom and New Zealand were higher. Additionally, Australia has the highest ratio of international students per head of population in the world, with many students remaining in the country after graduation on various skill and employment visas. This contributes to the country's diverse culture and high foreign-born population.
Australia's population growth has also been influenced by natural increase, which refers to the difference between births and deaths. While natural increase was the main driver of growth until the early 2000s, its contribution has been relatively steady in recent years. In contrast, net overseas migration has fluctuated, becoming the larger contributor to annual population growth since 2005-06. As of 2023-24, net overseas migration accounted for 57% of population growth, while natural increase contributed 43%.
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Population projections
Three projection series are presented in Australian Demographic Statistics for Australia population projections and Indigenous Australian population projections. The high series assumes the total fertility rate (TFR) will reach 1.75 babies per woman, life expectancy at birth will continue to improve, reaching 87.7 years for males and 89.2 years for females, and net overseas migration (NOM) will increase to 275,000 people per year. The medium series assumes the TFR will remain at 1.6, life expectancy will experience a declining improvement reaching 83.0 years for males and 86.0 years for females, and NOM will increase to 225,000 people per year. The low series assumes the TFR will decline to 1.45, life expectancy will experience a declining improvement reaching 83.0 years for males and 86.0 years for females, and NOM will decrease to 175,000 people per year.
Indigenous Australian population projections are also presented in three series. The high series assumes constant fertility rates, an annual 0.5% increase in paternity rates, a high increase in life expectancy at birth, and zero NOM. The medium series assumes an annual decrease of 1.2% in fertility rates, constant paternity rates, a medium increase in life expectancy, and zero NOM. The low series assumes an annual decrease of 1.5% in fertility rates, a 0.5% decrease in paternity rates, constant life expectancy, and zero NOM.
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Indigenous population
Australia has a diverse culture, with one of the highest foreign-born populations in the world. The country has a highly developed economy and one of the highest per capita incomes globally. As of 5 August 2025, Australia's population was estimated to be 27,966,300, with a population density of 3.4 persons per square kilometre.
The Indigenous population in Australia, comprising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, is a significant part of the country's diverse cultural fabric. As of 30 June 2021, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) estimated that there were 983,700 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia, representing around 3.8% of the total population. This marked a notable increase from the 30 June 2016 estimate of 798,400.
The Indigenous population in Australia has a relatively younger age structure compared to the non-Indigenous population. The median age for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is 24 years, with one-third (33.1%) under 15 years of age. In contrast, the non-Indigenous population has a higher median age of 38 years, and a lower proportion (17.9%) of individuals under 15 years old. The Indigenous population also has a higher sex ratio, with slightly more males (101) for every 100 females.
Geographically, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are dispersed throughout Australia. According to the ABS, 41% (401,700) live in major cities, while 15% (150,900) reside in remote and very remote areas. The Indigenous Regions (IREGs) with the largest populations include Central and North Coast, New South Wales (116,100 people). Additionally, three-quarters (74.5%) of the Indigenous population live in New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia combined.
The Indigenous communities in Australia play a vital role in preserving and transmitting their unique knowledge, traditions, ceremonies, and culture to future generations. Language is an integral part of this cultural transmission, with almost one in ten (9.5%) Indigenous people speaking an Indigenous language at home, encompassing over 150 distinct languages.
Unfortunately, the Indigenous population in Australia faces several challenges. They are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, with alarmingly high incarceration rates. Additionally, there is a significant health disparity, with higher mortality rates, particularly among children aged 0 to 4 years old. The Indigenous population also experiences higher rates of chronic diseases, and suicide has become a leading cause of premature mortality within this community.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has the largest population in Australia. As of August 2025, the population of Australia is estimated to be between 27,964,500 and 27,966,300.
Australia's population density is between 3.4 and 3.6 persons per square kilometre of total land area, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world.
The median age in Australia is 38.3 years.
67% of the population lived in urban areas known as Greater Capital City Statistical Areas in 2018. As of 2025, 86.51% of the population is urban.
