Lyla Lindsey
Western Australia is a relatively underpopulated region, with only 10.9% of the national population as of June 2024. The state's population is concentrated in the southwest corner, with over 90% of people living in this region. Several factors contribute to the relatively low population in Western Australia, including its remoteness and position in the world, as well as its arid climate, which drives people towards the coast. However, Western Australia has a diverse range of climates, from tropical conditions in the Kimberley region to deserts in the interior and a Mediterranean climate in the southwest and southern coastal areas. The state is also a major contributor to the national economy, with significant resource and agricultural sectors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 2.965 million as of June 2024 (10.9% of the national total) |
| Land Area | 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi) |
| Ranking among subdivisions of countries by size | Second-largest in the world |
| Diversity of climates | Tropical, desert, Mediterranean |
| Percentage of population living in the southwest corner | Over 90% |
| Percentage of population living along the eastern side | 80% |
| Percentage of Australia that is an uninhabitable desert | 20% |
| Percentage of Australia considered inhabitable by human standards | 60% |
| Global ranking of Australia by land area | Sixth |
| Global ranking of Australia by population | 55th |
| Percentage of Australia's population living within 30 miles of the coast | 85% |
| Percentage of Australia with soil suitable for farming | 6.5% |
| Western Australia's contribution to Australia's live cattle exports | 50% |
| Median individual income in Western Australia | A$500 per week |
| Median family income in Western Australia | A$1246 per week |
| Western Australia's contribution to Australia's gold production | 66% |
| Western Australia's ranking in global iron-ore production | First |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia's remoteness and position
Western Australia is the westernmost state of Australia, with a land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi). It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the northeast, and South Australia to the southeast.
The state's remoteness and position have been cited as the main reasons for its relatively low population. As of June 2024, Western Australia had 2.965 million inhabitants, accounting for only 10.9% of Australia's total population. This is despite the state having a diverse range of climates, from tropical conditions in the Kimberley region to deserts in the interior, and a Mediterranean climate in the southwest and southern coastal areas.
The vast majority of the state's population is concentrated in the southwest corner, with over 90% of residents living in this area. This is due in part to the region's favourable climate and proximity to the capital city of Perth, which was settled by Europeans in 1829 and has since become a major economic hub, particularly for the mining and resources sectors.
The state's economic model contributes to the concentration of population in the southwest. With a focus on resource extraction, labour is often rotated out to remote sites while workers reside in the wetter, more habitable areas. This model has been criticised for limiting economic complexity and cultural progression in the state.
In conclusion, Western Australia's remoteness and position have played a significant role in shaping its population distribution. The state's vast land area, diverse climates, and economic focus on resource extraction have led to a concentration of inhabitants in the more habitable and economically active southwest region, particularly around the city of Perth.
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Lack of water and harsh climate
Western Australia has a diverse range of climates, including tropical conditions in the Kimberley region, deserts in the interior, and a Mediterranean climate in the south-west and southern coastal areas. The state itself is hard to live in outside of the southwest, with a lack of water and a harsh climate.
The dryness of Australia means that 85% of the population lives within 30 miles of the coast. Indeed, only 6.5% of Australia has soil suitable for farming. While there is an overall lack of rainfall in Australia, only 20% of the country is an uninhabitable desert, and only 40% is considered uninhabitable by human standards. There is an ancient water source hidden underground, the Great Artesian Basin, which is one of the largest underground freshwater resources in the world. It covers 656,000 square miles, one-fifth of Australia, and could provide enough water for the population over the next 1,500 years.
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, with a land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres. As of June 2024, the state had a population of 2.965 million people, or 10.9% of the national total. Over 90% of the state's population lives in the southwest corner, and around 80% live along the eastern side, where rainfall is more common.
The economic model in Western Australia involves living in the wet areas and rotating labour out to remote sites to extract resources. Western Australia has a lot of natural resources and is the world's largest iron-ore producer, contributing 34% of the world's total. It also extracts 66% of Australia's gold.
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The colonial model
When Europeans first arrived in Western Australia, they brought with them a colonial mindset and practices that shaped the way land was perceived and utilized. The colonial model refers to the idea that the land was viewed as a resource to be exploited for economic gain, with little regard for the environmental, social, or cultural values inherent to the land. This mindset led to the implementation of agricultural and pastoral practices that were often ill-suited to the unique and varied ecosystems of Western Australia.
The early colonial government encouraged the establishment of farming and grazing industries, offering land grants and leases to attract settlers. However, much of the state's interior is characterized by arid and semi-arid landscapes, making it unsuitable for the European-style agriculture that was attempted. The marginal productivity of the land, coupled with challenges such as distance from markets and irregular rainfall, made it difficult to establish sustainable and profitable enterprises. As a result, many early settlements failed, and the interior remained sparsely populated.
In contrast, the southwestern region of the state, particularly the area known as the Swan River Colony (which includes present-day Perth), became the focal point for colonial settlement. This region has a more favorable climate and access to water sources, making it more suitable for agriculture and urban development. The establishment of key infrastructure and services, as well as the concentration of political and economic power in this region, further reinforced the pattern of settlement.
In conclusion, the colonial model helps explain why Western Australia, despite its vast size, has a relatively small and concentrated population. The legacy of colonial practices and mindsets continues to shape the state's demographic and cultural landscape, with ongoing efforts required to address the disparities and challenges faced by many regional and remote communities, as well as Indigenous Australians.
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The state's economic complexity
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, with a land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres. It is also the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth. As of June 2024, the state has 2.965 million inhabitants, accounting for 10.9% of Australia's population. Over 90% of the state's population lives in the south-west corner, which has a Mediterranean climate.
Western Australia has a diverse range of climates, including tropical conditions in the Kimberley region, deserts in the interior, and a Mediterranean climate in the south-west and southern coastal areas. The state is home to several deserts, including the Great Sandy Desert, the Little Sandy Desert, the Gibson Desert, and the Great Victoria Desert.
Agricultural production in Western Australia is a major contributor to the state and national economy. Wheat production in the state has averaged nearly 10 million tonnes between 2010 and 2019, valued at $2.816 billion in 2019, accounting for half of the nation's total wheat exports. Other significant farm outputs include wool, beef, lamb, barley, canola, lupins, oats, and pulses. About half of Australia's live cattle exports originate from Western Australia.
The state's economic model involves utilising labour from the populated wet areas and rotating them to remote sites to extract resources. This model has been criticised for limiting economic complexity and cultural progression. However, the state's resource sector growth has led to labour and skill shortages, prompting the state government to encourage interstate and overseas immigration.
Western Australia's position in the same time zone as China and Singapore also contributes to its economic potential. The state's favourable weather conditions make it an attractive hub for regional economies.
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The region's dangerous animals
Western Australia is known for its diverse and unique wildlife, but some regions are infamous for the dangerous creatures that call this place home. The state is vast and sparsely populated, with a significant portion of its landmass consisting of remote and rugged Outback terrain. This isolation has allowed for the proliferation of some dangerous species, and their presence certainly contributes to the perception of Western Australia as a hostile environment.
One of the most iconic, yet feared, creatures in this region is the saltwater crocodile. These ancient reptiles can grow to massive sizes, with some males exceeding 5 meters in length. They are opportunistic apex predators and have been known to attack humans, often with fatal consequences. The remote rivers and estuaries of Western Australia's north provide ideal habitats for these crocodiles, and their presence makes swimming or even boating in these waters extremely risky.
Another notorious inhabitant of the region is the box jellyfish. Often referred to as the most venomous animal on the planet, this marine stinger is found in coastal waters during the warmer months. Box jellyfish have caused numerous human deaths, and their stings can result in excruciating pain, scarring, and even cardiac arrest. Their near-transparent appearance in the water makes them difficult to spot, adding to the danger they pose to swimmers and divers.
The land itself is also home to a myriad of dangerous creatures. One of the most iconic is the redback spider, which is widely distributed across Western Australia. Their bite can cause severe pain, nausea, and in rare cases, even death. Similarly, the European wasp, an invasive species, has established itself in this region and poses a significant threat. These aggressive insects can deliver multiple stings and have caused several fatalities, particularly in people who are allergic to their venom.
The unique environment of Western Australia has resulted in the evolution of some truly dangerous creatures. While they play an important ecological role, their presence certainly makes this region a more challenging place to settle and highlights the wild and untamed nature of this vast Australian state. It is always important for residents and visitors alike to be aware of these dangers and take the necessary precautions to stay safe.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Australia is not completely uninhabited, but it is relatively underpopulated. As of June 2024, the state had 2.965 million inhabitants, which is about 10.9% of Australia's total population. The main reason for its underpopulation is its remoteness and position in the world.
Western Australia has a diverse range of climates, including tropical conditions in the Kimberley, deserts in the interior, and a Mediterranean climate on the south-west and southern coastal areas. Over 90% of the state's population live in the south-west corner, where rainfall is more common. The state's economy is driven by its mining sector, and it is the world's largest producer of iron ore.
Western Australia has a lot to offer in terms of natural resources and economic opportunities. The state government has been encouraging interstate and overseas immigration to support the growing resource sector. The median individual income and family income in Western Australia are higher than the national average. However, the state's remoteness and colonial economic model have been criticized for limiting cultural progression and economic complexity.
