Leslie Massey
Australia is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth, yet it has a relatively low population. As of 21 July 2025, Australia's population is estimated to be 27,940,400, with an average population density of 3.6 people per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries globally. Several factors contribute to Australia's low population density, including its geography, with much of the country being semi-arid or desert, making it challenging for people to live in many inland areas. Additionally, Australia's high rate of urbanisation, with 89% of its population concentrated in a handful of urban areas, further contributes to the low overall population density. While immigration has played a significant role in Australia's population growth, particularly since World War II, political factors and the country's remote location have also influenced its demographic trends.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population density | 9 people per square mile |
| Land area | 2,969,907 square miles |
| Continent type | Driest, least populated, and flattest |
| Geography | Diverse with snow-covered mountains, tropical and temperate deserts, grasslands, heathlands, and forests |
| Climate | Very hot in January (above 113°F) and cold in July (below 32°F) |
| Water availability | Water shortages may limit future population growth |
| Birth and death rates | Low |
| Migration | Necessary for population growth |
| Literacy rate | 99% |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's large land area is mostly desert, making it uninhabitable
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a land area of approximately 2,969,907 square miles. Despite its massive size, Australia is sparsely populated, with only nine people per square mile. This is because large swaths of the country are desert or semi-desert, making them uninhabitable. The Western half of the country is the Western Plateau, which is generally flat but is also home to several mountain ranges. The Eastern Highlands, located near the East Coast, receive more rainfall, making human settlements denser. However, between these two regions lie the central lowlands, which include the Murray-Darling Basin and Lake Eyre Basin. These lowlands are also susceptible to drought and water shortages, which can limit population growth.
The Australian climate is diverse, with snow-covered mountains in the Australian Alps and Tasmania, as well as tropical and temperate grasslands, heathlands, and forests. However, the desert regions can experience extreme temperatures, with highs of over 113 degrees Fahrenheit in January and lows below 32 degrees Fahrenheit in July. These harsh conditions make it challenging for humans to inhabit these areas.
Mining and beef production, two important industries in Australia, tend to be located in remote areas, further contributing to the sparse population distribution. The existence of these large, sparsely populated territories also leads to lower birth rates across the country. Additionally, Australia's isolation and distance from other highly populated regions can make it challenging and expensive to access, impacting population growth.
Despite its low population density, Australia has a relatively low natural increase due to its low birth and death rates. The country's excellent healthcare system contributes to low infant mortality rates, and adult literacy stands at 99%. Population density tends to be higher in coastal areas, where the climate is more favourable, while the inland desert regions remain sparsely populated.
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The country's remoteness makes it difficult and expensive to get to
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a land area of approximately 2,969,907 square miles, making it the largest country in Oceania. Despite its size, Australia has one of the lowest population densities in the world, with only nine people per square mile. For comparison, Monaco has over 47,000 inhabitants per square mile, Singapore has around 20,000, and even countries like Mexico, which are also geographically large, have a population density far higher than Australia, with 167 people per square mile.
The country's remoteness is a significant factor in its low population density. Australia is a vast country, and much of it is difficult to access. Its distance from other highly populated countries makes it relatively expensive and time-consuming to travel to and from. For example, Perth, considered the most isolated city in the world, is located more than 1,240 miles from the nearest urban settlement, Adelaide. Geographically, Perth is closer to East Timor or Jakarta, Indonesia, than to Sydney, Australia's largest city.
The difficulty and expense of reaching Australia have likely contributed to its low population. Even with modern technology and air travel, it remains relatively hard to access compared to other countries. This is especially true for those travelling from the Northern Hemisphere, as there are limited direct flight routes, and journey times can be lengthy. For example, a flight from London to Sydney takes over 22 hours, with at least one stopover.
Additionally, within Australia itself, the vast distances between population centres can make travel challenging and expensive. While the country has a well-developed road and rail network, the sheer size of the country means that travel times can be significant. For example, driving from Perth to Sydney, a distance of approximately 2,700 miles, would take over 40 hours non-stop.
The remoteness and resulting low population of Australia have had a significant impact on the country's development and economy. The Australian government has recognised the need to increase the population to improve trade conditions, boost tourism, and increase tax revenues. This has led to a focus on attracting migrants to the country, particularly to support an ageing population and maintain the percentage of the economically active population.
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Low birth rates and an ageing population
Australia is the driest, least populated, and flattest continent on Earth. The country is divided into six states, two internal territories, and several external territories. The population density is higher around the coast, where the climate is more favourable. Moving inland, the land becomes desert and semi-desert. Australia has one of the lowest population densities in the world, with only nine people per square mile.
The large, sparsely populated territories of Australia lower birth rates. 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.
The country has also experienced an ageing population, and to maintain the percentage of the economically active population, Australia has sought to attract more migrants. The current treatment and use of asylum seekers as pawns in an obscene political power game is considered a low point in Australian political history.
Good healthcare provision in Australia contributes to low infant mortality rates. Adult literacy is high at 99%.
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Water shortages may limit future population growth
Australia is the driest, least populated, and flattest continent on Earth. The country is divided into six states, two internal territories, and several external territories. The states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Australian Capital Territory. Australia's geography is diverse, with snow-covered mountains in the Australian Alps and Tasmania, vast tropical and temperate deserts, grasslands, heathlands, and forests.
The Western Plateau constitutes the western half of the country and is generally flat but contains several mountain ranges. The Eastern Highlands, close to Australia's east coast, receive more rainfall, making human settlements denser. The central lowlands lie between the Eastern Highlands and the Western Plateau and are formed by the Murray-Darling Basin and Lake Eyre Basin.
The Murray-Darling Basin is a critical agricultural region that has experienced the effects of the Millennium Drought, which lasted from 1996 to 2010. The drought also impacted major cities, including Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, and Hobart. Melbourne's water storage levels dropped to 33% during this period. River flows are expected to decrease by 10-25% within the next decade, increasing pressure on water systems as demand rises with the population.
Australia is already one of the world's thirstiest countries, with a per capita water consumption of 100,000 liters per person. The country's unusual population concentration, with 80% living in a few large coastal conurbations, further strains water resources. Outdoor water usage accounts for nearly half of household consumption through activities like car washing, driveway hosing, and garden sprinklers. While many Australians are becoming more water-conscious, with Sydney reducing its average daily usage by 200 liters per person since 1990, further water savings will be necessary to prevent future water stress.
Water scarcity is a significant issue that will impact Australia's future population growth. With river flows decreasing and demand rising, ensuring water security will require behavioral changes and adaptations from the population. Australia's water crisis is exacerbated by human activity, extreme weather events, and climate change, which have led to failing rains and hotter, drier conditions. The country's diverse geography, including vast deserts and remote mining locations, also contributes to water scarcity.
To address water shortages and support population growth, Australia must continue to adapt and implement solutions. Water markets, for example, allow for the efficient allocation of scarce water resources through the trade of water rights between end users. Additionally, restorative schemes and behavioral changes, such as reducing outdoor water usage, can help minimize future water stress.
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The government's treatment of asylum seekers discourages immigration
Australia is the driest, least populated, and flattest continent on Earth. The country is divided into six states, two internal territories, and several external territories. The states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Australian Capital Territory. Australia's geography is diverse, with snow-covered mountains in the Australian Alps and Tasmania, vast tropical and temperate deserts, grasslands, heathlands, and forests. The Western Plateau, which makes up the western half of the country, is generally flat but has several mountain ranges that divide it. In the eastern part, the Eastern Highlands are close to Australia's East Coast. Here, temperate forests receive more rainfall, making human settlements denser.
Despite its massive size, Australia has one of the lowest population densities in the world, with only nine people per square mile. Australia's population has also experienced aging, and for this reason, the country has sought to attract more migrants to maintain the percentages of economically active populations.
However, the Australian government's treatment of asylum seekers has been a controversial issue, with many arguing that their policies and practices discourage immigration. The government has a mandatory detention policy, which requires anyone who enters the Australian migration zone without a valid visa to be placed in a holding facility until they are granted a visa or removed from the country. This has resulted in some asylum seekers and refugees spending long periods in immigration detention, with no limit on the length of time they can be held under the law or official policy. This indefinite detention has been criticised as a violation of human rights, and it has led to concerns about the country's treatment of asylum seekers as pawns in a political power game.
The use of offshore processing and third-country arrangements, such as directing asylum seekers to nearby island nations like Papua New Guinea, has also been criticised. The Pacific Solution, implemented after the Tampa Affair in 2001, aimed to remove the incentive for refugees to come to Australia by making the immigration process more challenging. Additionally, the government has extended the time asylum seekers spend in mandatory detention and introduced temporary protection visas for boat arrivals, further deterring potential immigrants.
The Australian government's response to asylum seekers has been shaped by periodic waves of asylum seekers from Southeast Asia and the Middle East, with government policy and public opinion changing over the years. While the country has granted asylum to many refugees since 1945, the treatment of asylum seekers as a political issue and the use of deterrence strategies have likely contributed to a perception of Australia as a less welcoming destination for potential immigrants.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia's population is low due to a combination of factors, primarily a declining birth rate and high housing prices. The birth rate has fallen from 3.55 children per woman in 1960 to 1.5 in 2025, well below the level of 2.1 births per woman needed to sustain the population. Additionally, high housing prices have made it difficult for many Australians to buy or rent properties, impacting their decision to start or expand their families.
As of 2025, the population of Australia is estimated to be around 27 million people.
There are several reasons for the declining birth rate in Australia. One factor is that young Australian women are delaying having children or choosing not to have any at all due to career pursuits, extended education, and travel.
Australia's birth rate is similar to that of other rich, industrialized nations like France, Italy, and Sweden, which have also seen all-time lows in recent years.
A declining population can have significant economic implications. As the population ages and the number of workers decreases, the economy may suffer, and younger generations may face higher taxes, higher debt, or a later retirement age. Additionally, Australia may need to rely more heavily on skilled migrants to support its economy and workforce needs.
