Leslie Massey
Australia is the 6th largest country in the world, but it has one of the lowest population densities, with only nine people per square mile. The population is concentrated in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern seaboards. The interior of Australia is mostly desert, which makes human settlements challenging due to extreme conditions and limited water access. As a result, cities in the interior of Australia are less populated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population density | 3.4/km2 (June 2022) or 3.6 persons per square kilometre |
| Population | 27,940,400 as of 21 July 2025 |
| Ranking in world population | 54th most populous country |
| Percentage of population living in urban areas | 89% |
| Percentage of population living near coastlines | 95% |
| Percentage of arid or semi-arid land | 70% |
| Limited water sources | Water availability is a significant challenge in the Great Sandy, Victoria, Gibson, Tanami, and Simpson deserts |
| Isolated towns and cities | Cape York, Alice Springs |
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What You'll Learn
- The interior of Australia is largely desert, making human settlements challenging
- Australia's population is concentrated in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, Southern and South Eastern seaboards
- Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world, with 89% of its population living in a handful of urban areas
- The availability of water is a significant challenge in the interior of Australia
- The existence of large, sparsely populated territories lowers birth rates
The interior of Australia is largely desert, making human settlements challenging
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world by area, but it has one of the lowest population densities, with only about three to nine people per square mile. The interior and west of Australia are largely desert, making human settlements challenging. About 70% of the country is considered arid or semi-arid, making it the driest continent. The availability of water is a significant challenge in the Great Sandy, Victoria, Gibson, Tanami, and Simpson deserts. Limited access to water in these areas, which cover over 386,000 square miles, contributes to the sparse population.
Coastal areas with rainfall make up only 5% of Australia's territory but are home to 95% of its population. Northern Australia is less desert-like than the central and western regions. Australia's population is concentrated in urban areas, particularly on the eastern, southeastern, and southern seaboards. The country's largest cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, are located in these regions.
The desert areas of Australia, also known as the Outback, present extremely difficult living conditions due to the arid climate and limited water sources. The city of Alice Springs, located in the middle of the Australian desert, has a population of 28,605. It is the third-largest city in the Northern Territory, covering 10% of the region. The town's economy relies heavily on tourism, as nearby Uluru Mountain is a popular destination.
The low population density of Australia is also influenced by factors such as urbanisation, with 89% of the population living in urban areas, and low fertility rates. The Australian government has implemented programs to increase the population, aiming to improve trade, boost tourism, and increase tax revenues.
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Australia's population is concentrated in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, Southern and South Eastern seaboards
Australia's population is heavily concentrated in urban areas, with 89% of its population living in a handful of urban centres. The country's population is skewed towards its Eastern, Southern, and South-Eastern seaboards, with 95% of the population living within 100 km of the coast. This is despite the fact that Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world by land mass.
The population density in these coastal cities is comparable to that of other Western countries. For example, central Melbourne has a population density of 38 inhabitants per square kilometre. Sydney, Australia's largest city, is often referred to as the 'New York of Australia'. However, when taking into account the vast, sparsely populated interior of the country, Australia's overall population density is low, at 3.5 inhabitants per square kilometre. This is one of the lowest in the world, and is lower than that of other geographically large countries such as the United States (36 people per square kilometre) and Mexico (167 people per square kilometre).
The concentration of Australia's population in urban areas along the coast is due to a number of factors. Firstly, the interior of Australia is largely desert, or semi-arid, with 70% of the country considered arid or semi-arid. This makes human settlement challenging due to extreme conditions and limited access to water. The availability of water is a significant challenge in the deserts of Great Sandy, Victoria, Gibson, Tanami, and Simpson, which cover over 386,000 square miles. In contrast, coastal areas with rainfall make up 95% of the country's population.
Another factor influencing the concentration of population in urban areas is the history of urbanisation in Australia. The country has a long history of immigration, with the majority of settlers and immigrants arriving from the British Isles between 1788 and the Second World War. In the decades following the Second World War, Australia received a large wave of immigration from across Europe, particularly Southern and Eastern Europe. Today, Australia has the world's eighth-largest immigrant population, with immigrants accounting for 30% of the population. This has led to the development of large, sparsely populated territories, which have lower birth rates. As a result, the Australian government has allocated resources to programs aimed at increasing the population.
The high population density in Australian cities has a number of pros and cons. On the one hand, urban sustainability programs aim to create cities that are self-sufficient and less reliant on the surrounding countryside. Living in a densely populated area can also provide instant access to a community of people, which can be beneficial for social and career connections. However, the drawbacks of high population density include increased pollution, less autonomy, and higher costs.
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Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world, with 89% of its population living in a handful of urban areas
Australia is the 6th largest country in the world in terms of physical area, but it has one of the lowest population densities, with only nine people per square mile. This is because most of the country's interior is desert, making human settlements challenging due to extreme conditions and limited water sources. About 70% of Australia is considered arid or semi-arid, and coastal areas with rainfall make up only 5% of the territory but are home to 95% of the population.
Australia's population density is also impacted by the concentration of people in urban areas. With 89% of its population living in a handful of urban centres, Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world. This urbanisation is influenced by the country's geography, as most of its population lives along the coast, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern, and Southern seaboards.
The high population density in these urban areas offers benefits such as instant access to a community, fostering connections and potential opportunities. However, it also presents drawbacks, including increased pollution, reduced autonomy, and higher costs of living.
To address these challenges, urban sustainability programmes aim to create self-sufficient cities with greener planning and construction. Additionally, the Australian government has allocated resources to increase the overall population, targeting improved trade, tourism, and tax revenues. Despite these efforts, the country has experienced an ageing population and a decline in birth rates, leading to initiatives to attract more migrants and maintain a balanced demographic composition.
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The availability of water is a significant challenge in the interior of Australia
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, yet it has one of the lowest population densities, with only nine people per square mile. The country's interior is largely arid or semi-arid desert, also known as the outback, which presents extreme living conditions due to limited water sources. This makes human settlements challenging. The availability of water is a significant challenge in the deserts of Great Sandy, Victoria, Gibson, Tanami, and Simpson, which cover over 386,000 square miles.
The sparse population of Australia can be attributed to the water scarcity and desert geography of its interior regions. Coastal areas with rainfall comprise only five percent of Australia's territory, but they are home to 95 percent of the population. Northern Australia is less desert-like than the central and western regions, and it has a higher population density.
The city of Perth, located in Western Australia, is an example of a populated area. It is considered the most isolated city globally and is home to over two million people. In contrast, Alice Springs, located in the middle of the Australian desert, has a population of only 28,605 people. The town's economy relies heavily on tourism, particularly from nearby Uluru Mountain, a popular destination.
The low population density in Australia's interior regions is also influenced by the nature of the industries present there. Mining and beef production, for instance, are often located in remote areas or vast tracts of land with little rainfall. This further contributes to the sparse population and the challenge of accessing water.
To address the sparse population and its impacts, the Australian government has allocated resources to programs aimed at increasing the overall population. These initiatives are designed to improve trade conditions, boost tourism, and increase tax revenues. Additionally, the country has sought to attract more migrants to maintain the percentage of the economically active population, as Australia's population has been ageing.
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The existence of large, sparsely populated territories lowers birth rates
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, but it has one of the lowest population densities, with only nine people per square mile. The existence of large, sparsely populated territories lowers birth rates. Australia's population density is so low because most of the country's interior is arid or semi-arid desert, making human settlements challenging due to extreme conditions and limited water access.
The Australian government has allocated resources to programs aimed at increasing the population, which would lead to improved trade conditions, increased tourism, and higher tax revenues. Australia's population has been ageing, and the country has sought to attract more migrants to maintain the percentage of the economically active population.
The low population density in Australia's interior can be attributed to the challenging environmental conditions. About 70% of Australia is considered arid or semi-arid, making it the driest continent. The availability of water is a significant challenge in the deserts, which cover over 386,000 square miles. Coastal areas with rainfall make up only 5% of Australia's territory but are home to 95% of its population.
The low birth rates in sparsely populated territories could be influenced by various factors, including limited access to social infrastructure, public transport, healthy food choices, local employment opportunities, and other aspects of urban liveability. Additionally, the isolation and vast distances between communities in these territories can contribute to lower birth rates, as people may have fewer opportunities to form relationships and start families.
Furthermore, the low population density in Australia's interior may be related to historical factors. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, the rate of natural increase declined significantly. While there was a post-World War II baby boom, the overall fertility rate in Australia has been falling since 1962. This decline in fertility is expected to result in a natural increase falling below zero by the mid-2030s.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia's interior is mostly desert, which makes human settlements challenging due to extreme conditions and limited water sources.
Australia's population density is 3.4/km2 (8.8/sq mi) as of June 2022. This makes it the third least densely populated country globally, after Namibia and Mongolia.
Australia contains five cities, including their suburbs, that consist of over one million people. 70% of the population lives in the top eight most populous cities.
Urbanisation is a significant factor, with 89% of the population living in a handful of urban areas, making Australia one of the world's most urbanised countries. Additionally, the availability of water and the aging population influence population distribution.
