Population of Australia 2025 | Statistics & Facts

Population of Australia 2025

The Australian continent stands as one of the world’s most remarkable demographic landscapes, characterized by steady expansion and evolving patterns of settlement. With vast expanses of territory coupled with concentrated urban development, the nation presents a unique population profile that distinguishes it from other developed countries. The land down under continues to attract global attention for its migration policies, economic opportunities, and exceptional quality of life, factors that collectively shape its demographic trajectory and influence population movements across states and territories.

Understanding the population dynamics of Australia requires examining multiple dimensions including natural increase through births minus deaths, net overseas migration patterns, interstate population movements, and the concentration of residents in major metropolitan areas versus regional locations. The Australian Bureau of Statistics serves as the authoritative source for demographic data, publishing regular updates on Estimated Resident Population (ERP) figures that provide comprehensive insights into how the nation’s population evolves. These statistics become essential for government planning, infrastructure development, resource allocation, and understanding the social fabric of contemporary Australia.

Interesting Facts About Population of Australia 2025

Data source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) – National, state and territory population, March 2025; Centre for Population Analysis

The data reveals that Australia’s population of 27,536,874 people as of March 2025 represents steady demographic expansion driven predominantly by overseas migration. The annual growth of 423,400 people translates to a 1.6% increase, marking a moderation from pandemic-era peaks when growth exceeded 2.5% in 2023. This stabilization reflects government policy adjustments regarding migration intake combined with normalized global movement patterns following COVID-19 disruptions. Natural increase contributed 107,400 people through the excess of 295,900 births over 188,400 deaths, demonstrating that while Australia maintains positive natural population growth, migration remains the primary driver of demographic expansion.

The net overseas migration of 315,900 people represents a significant 36% decrease from the previous year’s figure of 493,823, indicating deliberate policy recalibration toward sustainable immigration levels. Migration arrivals of 578,400 people decreased substantially by 131,400 individuals (18.5%) compared to the prior year, while departures increased by 46,500 people (21.5%) to reach 262,400, creating a two-sided effect that moderated net migration gains. Australia’s population density of 3.5 people per square kilometer remains exceptionally low by global standards, making it the third least densely populated country worldwide after Namibia and Mongolia. The urban population concentration of 86.5% highlights the overwhelming preference for city living, with 23.3 million people residing in metropolitan areas while vast interior regions remain sparsely inhabited.

Population Growth Components in Australia 2025

Data source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) – National, state and territory population, March 2025

Australia’s population dynamics demonstrate distinct seasonal and annual patterns that reflect both domestic factors and international trends. The March 2025 quarter recorded total growth of 144,238 people, representing a 0.5% quarterly increase that accelerated from the December 2024 quarter’s growth of 89,142 people. This quarterly variation stems largely from seasonal migration patterns, particularly the March quarter’s traditional surge in international student arrivals coinciding with Australian university intake periods. Natural increase during the quarter reached 34,176 people, representing a substantial 48% increase from the previous quarter’s 23,090 people, driven by seasonal birth patterns and lower winter mortality rates compared to the preceding quarter.

Net overseas migration contributed 110,062 people during the March 2025 quarter, marking a significant 66.8% increase from December 2024’s figure of 66,052 people. This quarterly acceleration aligns with typical migration timing as international students, skilled workers, and temporary visa holders enter Australia following the holiday period and summer break. However, examining annual figures provides more meaningful insights into sustained trends rather than seasonal fluctuations. The annual growth of 423,357 people represents a substantial 29.3% decrease from the March 2024 year’s growth of 599,215 people, signaling deliberate moderation in population expansion as migration policies adjust toward long-term sustainable levels.

State and Territory Population Distribution in Australia 2025

Data source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) – National, state and territory population, March 2025; Centre for Population

Regional population distribution reveals significant variations in growth patterns across Australian states and territories. Western Australia emerged as the fastest-growing jurisdiction with a 2.3% annual growth rate, driven by robust economic opportunities in mining, resources, and infrastructure development that attracted both overseas migrants and interstate arrivals. The state’s net overseas migration of 41,395 people combined with positive net interstate migration of 11,675 people created dual momentum for expansion. Victoria and Queensland both recorded 1.8% growth rates, though through different demographic compositions—Victoria relied heavily on overseas migration with 93,176 net arrivals despite losing 2,318 residents to interstate movement, while Queensland attracted 24,015 net interstate migrants seeking lifestyle benefits and lower living costs alongside 54,535 overseas migrants.

New South Wales, despite housing Australia’s largest city Sydney, recorded relatively modest 1.2% growth, constrained by substantial interstate migration losses of 26,560 people as residents departed for more affordable housing markets in Queensland and Victoria. Nevertheless, strong net overseas migration of 96,761 people partially offset these departures, maintaining positive overall growth. Tasmania recorded the nation’s slowest growth at merely 0.2%, severely impacted by interstate migration losses of 2,217 people that overwhelmed its minimal natural increase of 179 people and modest overseas migration of 3,182 people. The island state’s population stagnation reflects limited economic opportunities, aging demographic profile, and youth exodus toward mainland employment centers.

Major Cities Population in Australia 2025

Data source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) – Regional Population 2023-24; Centre for Population

Australia’s capital cities dominate the nation’s demographic landscape, collectively housing approximately 19.5 million people or roughly 71% of the total population. Melbourne led absolute growth with an addition of 142,600 people during the 2023-24 financial year, reinforcing projections that it will overtake Sydney as Australia’s largest city by 2031-32. The Victorian capital’s expansion stems from exceptionally high overseas migration of 121,200 people, predominantly international students and skilled migrants attracted to the city’s universities, healthcare sector, and professional services industries. Despite experiencing internal migration losses of 7,600 people to regional Victoria and other states, Melbourne’s international appeal more than compensated for domestic departures.

Sydney added 107,500 people despite facing the nation’s largest internal migration deficit of 41,100 people, as residents relocated to more affordable housing markets in regional New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria. Housing affordability challenges, with median dwelling prices exceeding $1.2 million in many suburbs, continue driving this exodus particularly among young families and first-home buyers. However, Sydney’s status as Australia’s primary global gateway attracted 120,900 overseas migrants, ensuring continued growth albeit at a reduced 2.0% rate compared to faster-growing capitals. Perth achieved the highest growth rate at 3.1%, benefiting from Western Australia’s resources boom and relatively affordable housing that attracted both 53,000 overseas migrants and 8,000 net internal migrants, creating balanced demographic expansion.

Age Structure and Demographics in Australia 2025

Data source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) – Regional Population by Age and Sex 2024; Worldometer Demographics 2025

Australia’s age structure reflects a mature developed economy with below-replacement fertility balanced by sustained immigration. The national median age of 38.3 years positions Australia younger than many European nations but older than most developing countries, creating a demographic sweet spot with substantial working-age population supporting relatively manageable dependency ratios. Capital cities maintain a median age of 36.9 years, significantly younger than regional Australia’s 42.0 years, primarily due to migration patterns as international arrivals and young domestic migrants concentrate in metropolitan employment centers while older Australians increasingly relocate to coastal retirement destinations and regional lifestyle areas.

The working-age population (15-64 years) comprises approximately 64.8% of total residents, translating to roughly 17.8 million people in the productive economic cohort. This substantial workforce enables Australia to maintain high living standards and support growing dependent populations through taxation and economic productivity. However, the elderly population (65+ years) at 16.7% continues expanding as Baby Boomer cohorts reach retirement age, creating fiscal pressures on healthcare, aged care, and pension systems. Regional areas experience more pronounced aging with 21.6% of residents aged 65+ compared to 14.3% in capital cities, challenging service delivery in areas with declining populations and limited economic bases.

Population Density and Geographic Distribution in Australia 2025

Data source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) various publications; Worldometer 2025; Centre for Population

Australia’s geographic distribution presents one of the world’s most extreme contrasts between densely populated coastal metropolitan areas and vast uninhabited interior regions. The overall population density of 3.5 people per square kilometer masks dramatic spatial variations, with major cities experiencing densities comparable to other developed nations while the Outback remains virtually empty. Sydney’s metropolitan density of 449 people per square kilometer and Melbourne’s 539 per square kilometer reflect typical large city concentrations, though both cities continue expanding their urban footprints through peripheral development rather than significant densification of existing suburbs.

The coastal concentration phenomenon sees more than 76% of Australians residing within 50 kilometers of the ocean, driven by historical settlement patterns, economic opportunities, climatic preferences, and lifestyle attractions. Australia’s five largest cities—Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide—all occupy coastal locations and collectively house approximately 17.5 million people or 64% of the national population. This concentration creates challenges for infrastructure provision, housing affordability, and environmental management in coastal zones while leaving interior regions economically marginal despite containing vast mineral and agricultural resources. The 29% of Australians living in regional areas face different demographic realities including aging populations, limited employment opportunities beyond primary industries, and challenges maintaining service levels as populations decline or stagnate.

Fertility, Births, and Deaths in Australia 2025

Data source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) – National, state and territory population, March 2025; Centre for Population

Australia’s vital statistics reveal a nation experiencing below-replacement fertility characteristic of developed economies, with demographic growth increasingly dependent on migration rather than natural increase. The total fertility rate of 1.49 babies per woman falls substantially below the 2.1 replacement level required to maintain stable population without immigration, marking a record low that reflects delayed childbearing, increased education and workforce participation among women, housing affordability pressures reducing family formation, and changing social attitudes toward parenthood. The 295,900 births recorded in the year to March 2025 represents the highest figure since December 2022, suggesting modest stabilization following pandemic-era disruptions, though this remains 2.1% higher than the previous year primarily due to timing effects rather than fundamental fertility increases.

Deaths totaling 188,400 increased by 4,000 (2.1%) from the previous year, reflecting Australia’s aging population as larger Baby Boomer cohorts reach advanced ages with higher mortality risks. The crude death rate of 6.8 per 1,000 population remains historically low compared to the 12.2 per 1,000 recorded in 1901, demonstrating dramatic improvements in healthcare, public health, nutrition, and living standards over the past century. Natural increase of 107,400 people contributes merely 25.4% of total population growth, with net overseas migration accounting for 74.6%, fundamentally altering Australia’s demographic composition compared to the mid-20th century when natural increase dominated and migration played a secondary role.

Migration Trends and Composition in Australia 2025

Data source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) – National, state and territory population, March 2025; Centre for Population

Migration patterns demonstrate significant policy-driven moderation from pandemic-era peaks when pent-up demand and border reopening created exceptional inflows. The 36% decrease in net overseas migration to 315,924 people reflects deliberate government strategy to return toward long-term sustainable levels following the extraordinary 556,000 peak recorded in September 2023. Migration arrivals declined by 131,400 people (18.5%) as visa processing tightened, particularly for international students where increased English language requirements, genuine student tests, and visa condition enforcement reduced approvals. Simultaneously, departures increased by 46,500 people (21.5%) as temporary visa holders completed their stays and returned home, while some permanent residents relocated overseas for employment or personal reasons.

The composition of migration flows continues evolving, with skilled migration forming the program’s backbone as Australia targets workers in healthcare, information technology, construction, education, and engineering sectors experiencing critical shortages. International students comprise a substantial component of temporary arrivals, with approximately 700,000 student visa holders present in Australia at any time, concentrated in Sydney and Melbourne where major universities operate. These students contribute economically through tuition fees, living expenses, and part-time employment while many subsequently transition to permanent residency through skilled migration pathways. Interstate migration of 369,000 moves remains 21% below 2019 levels, reflecting both reduced mobility during pandemic-related disruptions and affordability factors that limit movement despite employment opportunities in different states.

Future Population Projections for Australia 2025-2035

Data source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) – Population Projections 2022-2071; Centre for Population Statements

Population projections indicate Australia will reach approximately 29.5 to 30.0 million people by 2030 and 31.5 to 32.5 million by 2035, assuming continued net overseas migration averaging 200,000 to 250,000 annually combined with gradually declining natural increase as the population ages and fertility remains below replacement levels. These medium-variant projections represent neither predictions nor government targets but rather illustrative scenarios based on assumed continuation of recent demographic trends with moderate adjustments. Melbourne’s projected trajectory suggests it will overtake Sydney as Australia’s largest city by approximately 2031-32, as the Victorian capital’s higher growth rate compounds over time, driven by stronger overseas migration attraction, more affordable housing compared to Sydney, and extensive urban expansion corridors.

The median age projection rising to 41.0 years by 2035 reflects population aging as Baby Boomer cohorts transition into retirement and advanced age while below-replacement fertility produces relatively smaller younger cohorts. Natural increase trends toward zero and potentially negative territory as deaths from an expanding elderly population approach and eventually exceed births from smaller cohorts of women in childbearing years. This demographic transition positions Australia similarly to other developed nations including Japan, South Korea, and many European countries, though migration partially offsets aging effects by introducing younger working-age populations. The 65+ age group is projected to exceed 20% of population by 2035, creating substantial fiscal challenges for healthcare, aged care, and pension systems while potentially constraining economic growth unless productivity gains or workforce participation increases compensate.

Regional Population Patterns in Australia 2025

Data source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) – Regional Population 2023-24; Centre for Population

Regional Australia collectively reached 8.04 million people in 2025, representing 29% of the national population, with an annual increase of 113,800 residents and a growth rate of 1.3%. This expansion is largely driven by lifestyle migration, resource-sector jobs, and affordability compared to major cities; however, challenges such as service delivery gaps and an aging population persist. Regional Queensland remains the fastest-growing region with an estimated 2.85 million residents, adding 50,400 people at a 1.8% growth rate, fueled by tourism, warm-weather migration, and retirement inflows—yet infrastructure strain remains a major concern. Regional New South Wales, with an estimated 2.65 million people, grew by 30,600 (1.1% growth) thanks to agricultural stability and “tree-change” migration, while still battling youth outmigration.

Regional Victoria recorded a population of 1.75 million, increasing by 19,800 residents at a 1.2% growth rate, supported by manufacturing and service-sector jobs but constrained by limited high-skill employment options. Regional Western Australia, home to about 580,000 people, added 8,600 residents at a 1.5% growth rate, driven overwhelmingly by mining and resources, though remoteness and distance remain barriers. Regional South Australia reached 405,000 people, growing by 2,900 (0.7%), with agriculture and wine industries leading development despite declining traditional industries. Regional Tasmania, with 320,000 residents, is projected to lose around 1,000 people (a -0.3% growth rate) due to limited opportunities and continuing youth outmigration. The Regional Territories, with about 95,000 people, show highly variable growth due to small populations and dependence on government services and Indigenous communities.

Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.

Email ID:

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Email

Email *

SUBSCRIBE