Leslie Massey
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a land area of approximately 2,969,907 square miles, yet it has one of the lowest population densities, with only nine people per square mile. This is due to a combination of factors, including its extreme geography, isolated towns and cities, limited water sources, and the concentration of its population in urban areas along the coast. Australia's population has grown significantly since 1945, and it has the eighth-largest immigrant population globally, with immigrants accounting for 30% of its population. However, the country's vast interior regions remain sparsely populated due to their arid and desert-like conditions, making human settlements challenging.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population Density | 3.4/km2 (8.8/sq mi) as of June 2022 |
| Population Growth | 3.5x growth since 1945 (7.4 million to 25.7 million) |
| Indigenous Population | 3.2% identified as Indigenous in the 2021 census |
| Immigrant Population | 30% of the population born overseas, the 8th-largest immigrant population globally |
| Water Resources | Abundant renewable freshwater sources |
| Geography | Semi-arid and desert conditions, isolated towns and cities |
| Urbanization | 89% of the population lives in urban areas, concentrated in the East and Southeast |
| Infrastructure | Limited infrastructure outside major cities |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is the third least densely populated country
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world by land area, but it is also one of the most sparsely populated. With a population density of 3.3 to 3.6 people per square kilometre, Australia is the third least densely populated country in the world, after Namibia and Mongolia.
The population of Australia is estimated to be around 28 million as of 2025, making it the 54th most populous country. Its population is concentrated mainly in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South-Eastern and Southern seaboards, with 89% of its population living in a handful of urban areas. Sydney is the most populated city in Australia, with 5,230,330 people as of June 2018, and a population density of 430 people per square kilometre. The majority of the population lives near the coast, and 80% of the population lives in the southeast of the country.
Australia's extreme geography, isolated towns and cities, and limited water sources make it one of the least populated countries in the world. The interior and west of Australia are mostly desert, which makes human settlements challenging due to extreme conditions. Around 70% of Australia is considered arid or semi-arid, making it the driest continent on the planet. The availability of water is a significant challenge in the deserts, and limited access to water contributes to the sparse population. Coastal areas with rainfall make up only 5% of Australia's territory but contain 95% of the population.
Australia's population growth has been reasonably rapid by developed country standards. Since 1945, Australia's population has grown by 3.5 times, from 7.4 million to 25.7 million. This is faster than any Western European country and is due to Australia having the highest rate of immigration of any developed country. Australia exports enough food to feed 70 million people and has more renewable freshwater than Japan, Mexico, Pakistan, Germany and the UK. Some have argued that Australia's low population is a political decision and that the country could support a much larger population.
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The interior is arid, semi-arid, or desert
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a land area of approximately 2,969,907 square miles. Despite its size, it has one of the lowest population densities, with only three to nine people per square mile. In contrast, countries like Singapore and Mexico, which are also geographically large, have much higher population densities, with around 20,000 and 167 people per square mile, respectively.
The low population density in Australia is partly due to the arid, semi-arid, or desert conditions of its interior regions. 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 deserts of Great Sandy, Victoria, Gibson, Tanami, and Simpson. These areas cover over 386,000 square miles and contribute to the sparse population. Coastal areas with rainfall comprise only five percent of Australia's territory but are home to 95% of its population.
The Northern Territory is less desert-like than the Central and Western parts, but the soils are nutrient-deficient, and the lack of mountains results in little rainfall and few rivers. Groundwater is also scarce or too saline for irrigation. These factors make it difficult to sustain human settlements in Northern Australia.
While Australia has abundant water resources, with more renewable freshwater than Japan, Mexico, and Pakistan, the distribution of water is a challenge. The country has considered various schemes to address water distribution and increase its population, such as the Bradfield Scheme, which proposes a water pipeline from the tropical north to harvest water during the wet season. However, implementing such schemes and developing the necessary infrastructure to support a larger population comes at a significant cost.
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Most of the population is urban, living near coastlines
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 one of the lowest population densities globally, at 3.3 people per square kilometre as of June 2020. This is in stark contrast to countries like India, with a population density of 464 people per square kilometre, or even the United States, with 36 people per square kilometre. However, this overall population density doesn't capture the density of livable areas, as most of Australia's population is urban and concentrated in a handful of cities along the coastlines.
The coastal areas of Australia, which make up only five percent of the country's territory, are home to 95 percent of its population. The four most populous cities in Australia, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra, are all located in the East and Southeast, with Sydney and Melbourne each having over 5 million residents. Perth, the fourth most populated city, is an exception, located on the west coast and considered the most isolated city globally. While Adelaide is close to the southeast, while Hobart and Darwin are in the southeast and central north, respectively.
The high population density in these urban areas along the coastlines provides benefits such as instant access to a community, increased job opportunities, and improved urban sustainability through efficient infrastructure and greener city planning. However, the trade-off is the loss of green spaces to make way for apartment buildings and houses to accommodate the growing population.
The Indigenous population of Australia, including Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders, accounts for 3.2% of the total population as of the 2021 census. Almost 60% of Indigenous Australians live in New South Wales and Queensland, which are predominantly along the east coast. The Northern Territory, with its unique geography and isolated towns, has a significant Indigenous population, representing 26.3% of its total population.
While Australia has the potential to support a larger population, with abundant food exports and renewable freshwater resources, the challenge lies in the lack of infrastructure to support the desired quality of life in more remote areas. The country's extreme geography, including arid and desert regions covering 70% of its landmass, makes human settlements difficult, especially in central and western regions.
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Australia has the world's eighth-largest immigrant population
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 a sparse population and one of the lowest population densities in the world, with only nine people per square mile. The population is concentrated in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern seaboards.
Australia's population has grown from an estimated 300,000 to 2,400,000 Indigenous Australians at the time of British colonisation in 1788, due to numerous waves of immigration. Between 1788 and World War II, most settlers and immigrants came from the British Isles, with significant immigration from China, Germany, and later Southern and Eastern Europe. After World War II, Australia experienced a large wave of immigration from across the world, particularly from Asia, which has continued into the 21st century.
The growth in Australia's population since World War II is also attributed to the post-war baby boom and the immigration of many young people who then had children in Australia. However, there has been a fall in the rate of natural increase since 1962 due to falling fertility rates. Australia's population is expected to exceed 30 million by 2029, and while there is room for growth, the lack of infrastructure to support a higher quality of life in more remote areas poses a challenge.
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The ageing population and low fertility rates will cause natural increase to fall
Australia has a low population density, with only nine people per square mile. This is due to a combination of geographical, historical, and cultural factors. Australia's extreme geography, isolated towns and cities, and limited water sources make human settlement challenging. Coastal areas with rainfall make up only five percent of Australia's territory but are home to 95 percent of its population.
One of the main reasons for Australia's sparse population is its ageing demographic. The proportion of the population aged 65 and above is expected to continue growing. In 2017, this figure was 15%, and it is estimated that by 2057, older people will make up 22% of the population, or 8.8 million people. This increase is attributed to the Australian Baby Boom from 1946 to 1965, when total fertility rates were approximately 3.0, resulting in a significant number of births. As this generation ages, Australia's population is ageing too.
Additionally, Australia's fertility rate has reached a record low. This is due to a combination of factors, including cultural shifts in attitudes towards women in the workforce, with more women prioritizing their careers over starting a family. There has also been a shift towards later childbearing, with the median age of mothers rising to 31.9 years. The age-specific fertility rate of women aged 15 to 19 years has seen a significant decline, falling by more than two-thirds over the past 30 years. In contrast, the fertility rate for women aged 40 to 44 years has almost doubled in the same period.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world and has a land area of approximately 2,969,907 square miles, making it the largest country in Oceania. However, it has one of the lowest population densities in the world, with only nine people per square mile. This is due to a combination of factors, including its extreme geography, isolated towns and cities, limited water sources, and the concentration of its population in urban areas along the coast.
As of June 2022, the population density of Australia was reported as 3.4 people per square kilometre (8.8 per square mile). This makes Australia the third least densely populated country globally, after Namibia and Mongolia.
Around 70% of Australia is considered arid or semi-arid, making it the driest continent in Oceania. Limited access to water in these regions contributes to the sparse population outside of urban centres.
Australia has the world's eighth-largest immigrant population, with immigrants accounting for 30% of the total population. The country's population has quadrupled since the end of World War I, with immigration being a significant factor in this growth.
