Lexi Webster
Australia's population is highly concentrated in urban areas, with the majority of Australians residing in major cities. As of 21 July 2025, Australia's population is estimated to be around 27.9 million, making it the 54th most populous country globally and the most populous in Oceania. The population has grown significantly since British colonisation in 1788, driven primarily by immigration. Net overseas migration has been a key factor in Australia's population growth, with the nation attracting a large influx of immigrants from various parts of the world, particularly Asia. The country's population is expected to surpass 30 million by 2029, continuing its upward trajectory.
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What You'll Learn
Australia's population growth
Australia's population has grown significantly over the past century, driven by immigration and increasing fertility rates. As of 21 July 2025, the country's population is estimated to be around 27.9 million, making it the 54th most populous country globally and the most populous in Oceania. With a population density of 3.6 people per square kilometre, Australia remains one of the most sparsely populated nations.
Historically, Australia's population has grown due to several factors. Since the end of World War I, the country's population has quadrupled, largely due to immigration. The end of the White Australia policy in 1973 further contributed to this growth, as Australia transitioned to an official policy of multiculturalism, attracting immigrants from diverse backgrounds.
Immigration continues to play a significant role in Australia's population growth today. In 2022-23, net overseas migration reached a record high of 536,000 people, with Asia being the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century. This growth moderated to 435,000 people in 2023-24, but it still remains above pre-pandemic levels. Overall migration in 2022-23 was 739,000, with net permanent and long-term arrivals in 2023 reaching a record 447,790.
In addition to immigration, natural population growth has also contributed to Australia's population increase. While fertility rates have been declining, with the total fertility rate currently at 1.5, natural increase (births minus deaths) remains over 100,000 annually. This is partly influenced by the higher fertility rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, which have stayed above replacement levels despite a rapid decline in the national fertility rate.
The impact of Australia's population growth has led to concerns about the country's infrastructure and environment. Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) has noted that the rapid pace of population expansion is challenging the natural environment and making it difficult to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There are also concerns about the ability of public infrastructure to keep up with the growing population, particularly regarding the need for additional dwellings to accommodate the increasing number of people.
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Immigration and its impact
Australia is an immigrant-rich country, and its diverse population is a result of various immigration waves over the years. The impact of immigration on the nation has been significant, shaping its demographics, economy, and cultural landscape. As of 2023, New South Wales is the most populous state in Australia, with a population of over 8.2 million people. However, when considering the impact of immigration, it is essential to look at the trends and patterns over time and their effects on the entire country.
Historically, Australia has experienced several notable immigration waves, each contributing to the nation's population growth and cultural diversity. The first significant wave was the gold rush in the mid-19th century, which attracted immigrants from across the globe, particularly from China and other Asian countries, as well as from Europe. This was followed by a period of assisted migration from the British Isles, which aimed to boost the population and develop the country's agricultural sector. Subsequently, there were waves of immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe, fleeing economic hardship and political turmoil, as well as a significant influx of refugees and displaced persons after World War II.
In more recent times, Australia's immigration program has been primarily skills-based, attracting highly skilled workers and students from around the world. The country's stable economy, high quality of life, and attractive lifestyle have made it a desirable destination for immigrants seeking better opportunities. The impact of this skilled immigration is evident in the country's growing knowledge-based industries, particularly in the fields of information technology, finance, and healthcare. Additionally, international students have contributed significantly to the education sector and have often chosen to settle in Australia post-studies, adding to the talent pool.
Immigration has had a profound impact on Australia's demographics. It has contributed to the country's population growth, urban development, and cultural diversity. Immigrants have settled in various regions, with many choosing to live in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, contributing to the vibrant, multicultural fabric of these metropolitan hubs. According to the 2021 Census, approximately 30% of Australia's resident population was born overseas, with the majority of these immigrants settling in New South Wales and Victoria. This diversity has enriched the country's culinary, artistic, and cultural scenes, making Australia a melting pot of traditions and customs from across the globe.
The economic impact of immigration is also significant. Immigrants fill critical skills gaps in the workforce, contribute to innovation and entrepreneurship, and support industries facing labor shortages. They bring new ideas, expertise, and connections, fostering international trade and investment. Additionally, immigrants have a spending power that boosts the consumer market and contributes to the demand for goods and services, creating more jobs for Australians. Many immigrants also settle in regional areas, contributing to the development of these communities and helping to address skill shortages and labor demands outside of the major cities.
Finally, immigration has had a social impact on Australia, influencing the country's values, attitudes, and policies. The diverse perspectives and experiences that immigrants bring have contributed to a more open and tolerant society. Australia's immigration policies have evolved over time, reflecting a commitment to multiculturalism, family reunification, and the protection of refugees and asylum seekers. The country's approach to immigration has generally been pragmatic, aiming to balance economic needs with social cohesion, and this has contributed to Australia's reputation as a welcoming and inclusive nation.
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Population distribution
Australia's population is heavily concentrated in urban areas, particularly on the eastern, south-eastern, and southern seaboards. The nation's population is expected to exceed 30 million by 2029, with an average population density of 3.6 people per square kilometre of land area. As of 21 July 2025, Australia's population is estimated to be 27,940,400, making it the 54th most populous country globally and the most populous in Oceania.
The population has grown significantly since British colonisation in 1788, when it was estimated to be between 300,000 and 2,400,000 Indigenous Australians. Immigration has been a key factor in this growth, with Australia now having the world's eighth-largest immigrant population. Immigrants account for 30% of the population, the highest proportion among countries with over 10 million people. In 2023, 31% of Australians were born overseas, and this figure is projected to continue rising, with net overseas migration above pre-pandemic levels.
The largest group of overseas-born Australians are from England, numbering around 964,000 in 2024. This group has seen an increase after a decade of decline from a peak of over 1 million in 2013. The second-largest group is from India, with around 916,000 people, followed by China with 700,000, and New Zealand with 618,000.
In terms of language, English is the predominant language spoken at home by Australians, with 72% of the population speaking only English at home in the 2021 census. Other commonly spoken languages include Mandarin Chinese (2.7%), Arabic (1.4%), Vietnamese (1.3%), and Cantonese (1.2%). It is worth noting that many first- and second-generation immigrants are bilingual.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, Australia's Indigenous population, was 984,000 as of 30 June 2021, representing 3.8% of the total population. This population has seen an increase in fertility rates, with 7.5% of births in 2020 being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, up from 5.7% in 2010.
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Indigenous Australians
The population of Indigenous Australians before British colonisation is estimated to have been around 318,000–1,000,000, with a similar distribution to the current Australian population, centred along the Murray River. Indigenous Australians were excluded from the Constitution's population statistics until the 1967 referendum, which changed the Constitution to include them in official Census counts.
In the 2021 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. However, First Nations people are undercounted in census data, so this number may be higher. The Australian Capital Territory has the smallest proportion of Australia's First Nations population (1.0%), while the Northern Territory has the highest proportion (30.8%). New South Wales had the largest First Nations population (339,700 people), followed by Queensland (273,100 people) and Western Australia (120,000 people).
The First Nations population has a relatively young age structure, with larger proportions of people aged 29 and under compared to the non-Indigenous population. As of 30 June 2021, an estimated one-third (34%) of the First Nations population was under 15, compared to 17% of non-Indigenous people in the same age group. The median age of First Nations people has increased over the years, reaching 24 in 2021.
The number of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander language speakers is on the rise, with 76,978 Indigenous people reporting speaking an Indigenous language in 2021, up from 63,754 in 2016. However, the ongoing colonisation of Australia has negatively impacted many Indigenous communities, and they continue to face disadvantage, discrimination, and hardship.
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Language and religion
Australia's population is concentrated mainly in urban areas, particularly the eastern coastal mainland states of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory, which collectively forms 79% of the country's population. The country's population is estimated to be 27.94 million as of 21 July 2025, with over 30 million expected by 2029.
Language
English is the de facto national language of Australia, with 72% of the population speaking only English at home according to the 2021 census. However, due to the country's diverse immigration patterns, other languages are also widely spoken. The next most common languages spoken at home are Mandarin Chinese (2.7%), Arabic (1.4%), Vietnamese (1.3%), and Cantonese (1.2%). Other languages that have appeared in regional lists include Korean, Filipino, Tagalog, Afrikaans, Japanese, Nepali, Sinhalese, and some Australian Indigenous languages. The number of Mandarin speakers has been rising in all regions, with 72% of them inhabiting New South Wales and Victoria. Other languages with increasing speakers include Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, and Hindi.
Religion
While Australia has no official religion, the country guarantees religious freedom and the right to not profess a faith. The percentage of Christians has been steadily decreasing since 1991, while the percentage of non-religious individuals has been increasing. In 2021, Tasmania had the highest proportion of non-religious individuals, with half (50%) of its population reporting no religious affiliation. In the same year, the number of people practising Aboriginal traditional religions was recorded at 7,887, with the Northern Territory having the highest number. Non-Christian religions in Australia include Islam (3.2%), Hinduism (2.7%), Buddhism (2.4%), Sikhism (<1%), and Judaism (<1%).
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Frequently asked questions
Australia as a nation has a population of 26,974,026 people as of 2025. The country with the largest population that immigrates to Australia is England, with 964,000 people born in England immigrating to Australia.
The Indigenous population of Australia, which includes Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders, was 984,000 in 2021, representing 3.8% of the total Australian population. In 2021, 3.2% of the population identified as Indigenous.
Australia's population has been growing at an average of 1.4% per year over the past 3 decades. The population has grown from 17.8 million in 1994 to 27.2 million in 2024.
