Damon Mcknight
Australia has a low population density due to a variety of factors. As of June 2022, the population density was 3.4/km squared, making it the third least densely populated country in the world. The low population density is due to the country's large interior desert area, also known as the outback, which has extremely difficult living conditions. Additionally, Australia has a low fertility rate, an aging population, and a history of political decisions that have impacted immigration rates. The population is also highly urbanized, with 75% residing in just 2.6% of the land mass, primarily near coastlines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population Density | 3.3-3.6 people per square kilometre |
| Population Density Ranking | 3rd least densely populated country in the world |
| Population Distribution | 75% of the population resides on 2.6% of the land mass |
| Urbanisation | 89% of the population lives in urban areas |
| Liveability | High quality of life, access to natural resources, less autonomy, higher cost of living in densely populated areas |
| Environmental Impact | Loss of green spaces, pollution, reduced sustainability |
| Housing Market | Higher rental appreciation in densely populated areas, lower value growth for high-density units |
| Migration | Overseas migration contributes to population growth in capital cities |
| Regional Development | Need for balanced regional development, improved infrastructure and services in rural areas |
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What You'll Learn
Large land area
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world by area, covering 7,702,501 square kilometres. Despite this, it has a very low population density, with only around 3.3 to 3.6 people per square kilometre as of 2021. This makes it the third least densely populated country in the world, after Namibia and Mongolia.
The country's large land area is a significant factor in its low population density. Australia's population is concentrated in a handful of urban areas along the coast, with 75% of the population residing on just 2.6% of the land mass. This leaves large areas of the country sparsely populated or completely uninhabited. The interior of the country is largely semi-arid or desert, which makes it unsuitable for human settlement and contributes to the uneven distribution of the population.
The capital cities of Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide have the highest population densities in the country, with 521, 441, and 444 people per square kilometre, respectively. However, the larger land area of the Sydney metropolitan region contributes to its lower population density compared to Melbourne. Outside of these major cities, the regions with the highest population density are in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the ACT's Kingston.
The low population density across Australia's large land area has both advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, it allows for a high quality of life, with access to wide-open spaces and natural resources. On the other hand, providing services and infrastructure to remote areas can be challenging and costly, and the dispersed population can limit economic growth and development in certain regions.
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Small population
Australia has a small population relative to its land mass. As of 2021, the population density of Australia was approximately 3.3 people per square kilometre, making it one of the least densely populated countries in the world. In comparison, India has a population density of 464 people per square kilometre, and the United States has 36 people per square kilometre. Australia's population density is attributed to its large size, harsh climate, and semi-arid and desert geography.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics projects that the population will reach 30 million by 2031, with most of the growth occurring in major cities and urban areas. Currently, 75% of Australia's population resides on just 2.6% of the land mass, with more than half of the population living in the three largest cities. Melbourne has the highest population density across the capital cities (521 people per sq. km), followed by Adelaide (444 ppl per sq. km), and Sydney (441 ppl per sq. km). Outside of these cities, the regions with the highest population density are in Brisbane (Fortitude Valley), the Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise), and the ACT's Kingston.
The small population and low population density of Australia have both advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, it allows for a high quality of life and access to natural resources. On the other hand, providing services and infrastructure to remote areas can be challenging, and economic growth and development may be limited.
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Population concentrated in urban areas
Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world, with 89% of its population living in a handful of urban areas. The country's population density is 3.3 people per square kilometre, making it one of the least densely populated countries globally. However, this figure does not reflect the actual density of livable areas, as most Australians live along the coast in major cities. As of June 2020, over 76% of the population lived in cities with more than 100,000 people, with Sydney and Melbourne being the most populous.
The concentration of people in urban areas has led to the loss of green spaces to make way for apartment buildings and houses. This has resulted in increased pollution and a reduced quality of air and water. Urban sustainability programmes aim to mitigate these issues by creating self-sufficient cities with sustainable construction and greener planning. However, living in densely populated areas often means higher costs and less autonomy.
Several factors contribute to the high urban population in Australia. One reason is the semi-arid and desert geography of much of the country's interior, making these areas less habitable. Additionally, lifestyle preferences play a role, as many Australians seek to live closer to entertainment, retail activities, and their workplaces. This trend is particularly evident in inner-city areas of Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, which have experienced population density growth between 2011 and 2019.
While the majority of Indigenous Australians live in urban areas, their demographic trends differ from the general population. For example, in 2016, only 5% of the Indigenous community were 65 or older, compared to 16% of the non-Indigenous population. The largest urban Indigenous population is in the Blacktown local government area in Western Sydney.
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$12.24 $18
Harsh climate
Australia has a very low population density, with 3.3–3.6 people per square kilometre as of June 2020. This is due in part to the country's harsh climate, which is characterised by its dryness. Australia is the second driest continent, after Antarctica, with 80% of the land receiving less than 600 mm of rainfall annually and 50% receiving less than 300 mm. The country has a very low annual average rainfall of 419 mm. This dryness is caused by the subtropical high-pressure belt, which brings dry air from the upper atmosphere down onto the continent.
The climate is also variable, with frequent and extensive droughts lasting several seasons, caused by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. This climate phenomenon also brings about occasional dust storms, tornadoes, tropical cyclones, heatwaves, bushfires, and frosts. Australia holds many heat-related records, including the continent with the hottest extended region year-round, the areas with the hottest summer climate, and the highest sunshine duration. The country's winter is relatively mild due to its separation from polar regions by the Southern Ocean, resulting in less contrast between summer and winter temperatures.
The largest part of Australia is desert or semi-arid, with only the southeast and southwest corners having a temperate climate and moderately fertile soil. The northern part of the country has a tropical climate, varying between grasslands and desert, and is subject to some of the largest interannual rainfall variability in the world. Over half of New South Wales, one of the most populous states, has an arid or semi-arid climate.
Climate change is expected to make Australia's climate even harsher, with rising temperatures, more powerful tropical cyclones, and longer droughts. The country is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to its extensive arid and semi-arid areas, already warm climate, and high annual rainfall variability. The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland Wet Tropics, Kakadu Wetlands, Australian Alpine areas, southwestern Australia, and sub-Antarctic islands are all ecologically rich sites that are at risk due to climate change, with significant loss of biodiversity projected to occur.
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Political factors
Australia's population density is low due to various political factors, including historical and current immigration policies, urban development strategies, and the impact of government decisions on regional areas.
Historically, Australia's population has grown due to waves of immigration since British colonisation in 1788, with the European component's share of the population rising sharply in the late 18th and 19th centuries. Since World War II, immigration has played a significant role in shaping Australia's population. The country's immigration policies have been a subject of political debate, with some arguing for a constantly increasing population to support economic growth and address an ageing population. However, others criticise this approach as ignoring environmental limits and the potential negative impacts on natural systems.
In recent years, border restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted net overseas migration to Australia, with a net outflow in 2020-21. The pandemic also caused a shift in migration patterns within the country, with more people moving from cities to regional areas. Australia's urban areas, particularly the capital cities, have historically attracted a larger share of overseas migrants, contributing to the population density in these regions.
Successive Australian governments have shown interest in urban development and renewal, investing in urban infrastructure to enhance the "productivity" of cities and strengthen the nation's competitiveness. However, these policies have been conducted under various constraints, including political factors. There has been criticism of a lack of policy coordination and attention to land-use planning, resulting in a "patchwork" of measures that fall short of a comprehensive national spatial development framework.
Additionally, regional areas in Australia face the challenge of shrinking and ageing populations, prompting discussions about the desirable scale and distribution of population growth. To address this, the government has proposed measures such as offering regional skilled visas with a requirement to live and work outside big cities for several years before becoming eligible for permanent residency.
Overall, political factors, including immigration policies, urban development strategies, and regional population distribution initiatives, have played a significant role in shaping Australia's population density.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia's population density is low because most of the country's interior is desert and presents difficult living conditions.
As of June 2022, the population density of Australia was reported as 3.4/km2 (8.8/sq mi). Another source states the density as 4 per Km² (9 people per sq mi).
Australia is the third least densely populated country in the world, after Namibia and Mongolia.
Australia's population density has been declining since 1962 due to falling fertility rates. Without immigration since World War II, Australia's population would be below 10 million.
75% of Australia's population resides on just 2.6% of the land mass. Most Australians live close to coastlines.
