In June 2022, it was estimated that around 7.3 percent of Australians were aged between 25 and 29, and the same applied to people aged between 30 and 34. All in all, about 55 percent of Australia’s population was aged 35 years or older as of June 2022. At the same time, the age distribution of the country also shows that the share of children under 14 years old was still higher than that of people over 65 years old. A breakdown of Australia’s population growth Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, yet with a population of around 26 million inhabitants, it is only sparsely populated. Since the 1970s, the population growth of Australia has remained fairly constant. While there was a slight rise in the Australian death rate in 2022, the birth rate of the country decreased after a slight rise in the previous year. The fact that the birth rate is almost double the size of its death rate gives the country one of the highest natural population growth rates of any high-income country.
National distribution of the population Australia’s population is expected to surpass 28 million people by 2028. The majority of its inhabitants live in the major cities. The most populated states are New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. Together, they account for over 75 percent of the population in Australia.

The total population in Australia was estimated at 27.4 million people in 2024, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - Australia Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Civilian Population: 15 Years and Over: Female data was reported at 11,537.574 Person th in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 11,511.997 Person th for Feb 2025. Civilian Population: 15 Years and Over: Female data is updated monthly, averaging 7,796.701 Person th from Feb 1978 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 566 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11,537.574 Person th in Mar 2025 and a record low of 5,315.728 Person th in Feb 1978. Civilian Population: 15 Years and Over: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G001: Civilian Population: by Age, Sex and Status. Civilian Population refers to all usual residents of Australia aged 15 years and over except members of the permanent defence forces, certain diplomatic personnel of overseas governments customarily excluded from census and estimated population counts, overseas residents in Australia, and members of non-Australian defence forces (and their dependants) stationed in Australia.

The statistic shows the total population of Australia from 1980 to 2023, with projections up until 2030. In 2023, Australia had a total population of about 26.95 million people. Population of Australia Australia is among the ten largest countries in the world, in terms of area size, although its total population is low in relation to this. Much of Australia’s interior remains uninhabited, as the majority of Australians live in coastal metropolises and cities. Most of the population is of European descent (predominantly British), although there is a growing share of the population with Asian heritage; only a small percentage belongs to the indigenous Aboriginal population. Australia's year-on-year population growth is fairly high compared to most other economically and demographically advanced nations, due to comparatively high rates of natural increase and immigration. Living standards Standard of living is fairly high in Australia, which can be seen when looking at the Human Development Index, which ranks countries by their level of human development and living standards, such as their unemployment rate, literacy rate, or life expectancy at birth. Life expectancy of Australia’s population is quite high in international comparison, for example, Australia is also among the leading countries when it comes to this key factor. Economically speaking, Australia is also among the leading nations, with a steadily rising employment rate, an increasing gross domestic product (GDP) with a steady growth rate, and a relatively stable share in the global GDP.

As of December 2023, the proportion of the Australian population that lived in New South Wales amounted to 31.3 percent. The Northern Territory had the least number of residents in the country, with less than one percent of the population residing there.

Quarterly estimates of total resident population for states, territories and Australia. Includes estimates of the population by sex in five-year age groups; numbers (and some rates) of births, deaths, infant deaths, interstate and overseas movements; quarterly and/or annual time series spreadsheets; projected resident population for states, territories and Australia; and projected number of households for capital cities, states territories and Australia.

Civilian Population: 15 Years & Over: Female: 45-54 Years data was reported at 1,691.457 Person th in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,690.251 Person th for Feb 2025. Civilian Population: 15 Years & Over: Female: 45-54 Years data is updated monthly, averaging 1,324.885 Person th from Feb 1978 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 566 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,691.457 Person th in Mar 2025 and a record low of 736.487 Person th in Jun 1981. Civilian Population: 15 Years & Over: Female: 45-54 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G001: Civilian Population: by Age, Sex and Status.

This dataset contains estimates of the resident population and estimates of the components of population change as at 30 June for the years 2001-2021. The data is aggregated to the 2016 Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2). This data is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (Catalogue Number: 3218.0). For more information please visit the Regional population methodology. Notes: The population estimates in this issue are final for 2001 to 2016, revised for 2017 to 2020, and preliminary for 2021. Estimated resident population (ERP) is the official estimate of the Australian population, which links people to a place of usual residence within Australia. Usual residence within Australia refers to that address at which the person has lived or intends to live for six months or more in a given reference year. For the 30 June reference date, this refers to the calendar year around it. Estimated resident population is based on Census counts by place of usual residence (excluding short-term overseas visitors in Australia), with an allowance for Census net undercount, to which are added the estimated number of Australian residents temporarily overseas at the time of the Census. AURIN has ingested this dataset in its GeoPackage format.

This dataset contains estimates of the resident population and estimates of the components of population change as at 30 June for the years 2001-2019. The data is aggregated to 2016 Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2). Estimated resident population (ERP) is the official estimate of the Australian population, which links people to a place of usual residence within Australia. Usual residence within Australia refers to that address at which the person has lived or intends to live for six months or more in a given reference year. For the 30 June reference date, this refers to the calendar year around it. Estimated resident population is based on Census counts by place of usual residence (excluding short-term overseas visitors in Australia), with an allowance for Census net undercount, to which are added the estimated number of Australian residents temporarily overseas at the time of the Census. This data is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (Catalogue Number: 3218.0). For more information please visit the Explanatory Notes.

Graph and download economic data for Population, Total for Australia (POPTOTAUA647NWDB) from 1960 to 2024 about Australia and population.

Please note, we recommend using the new Map Viewer in ArcGIS Online. There is an issue in Map Viewer Classic with the display of grid cell values. The clickable area of each cell is shifted to the northwest. This can result in neighbouring pixel values being displayed. The underlying data is correct, and the values display correctly in the new Map Viewer and in ArcGIS Pro. The Australian population grid 2022 is a modelled 1 km x 1 km grid representation of the estimated resident population (ERP) of Australia from 30 June 2022. The population grid is created by reaggregating estimated resident population data from Statistical Areas Level 1 (SA1) to a 1 km x 1 km grid across Australia based on point data representing residential address points. The value of each grid cell represents the estimated population density (number of people per square kilometre) within each 1 km x 1 km grid cell.

SA1 boundaries are defined by the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3 (2021) and the 1 km x 1 km grid is based on the National Nested Grid.

Data considerations Caution must be taken when using the population grid as it presents modelled data only; it is not an exact measure of population across Australia. Contact the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) If you have questions, feedback or would like to receive updates about this web service, please email geography@abs.gov.au. For information about how the ABS manages any personal information you provide view the ABS privacy policy.

Data and geography references Source data publication: Regional population, 2022 Additional data input: ABS Address Register Geographic boundary information: Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3, National Nested Grid Further information: Regional population methodology Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

This dataset presents the preliminary estimates of the resident population by age and sex as at 30 June 2019. The data is aggregated to Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2), according to the 2016 edition of the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). Estimated resident population (ERP) is the official estimate of the Australian population, which links people to a place of usual residence within Australia. Usual residence within Australia refers to that address at which the person has lived or intends to live for six months or more in a given reference year. For the 30 June reference date, this refers to the calendar year around it. Estimates of the resident population are based on Census counts by place of usual residence (excluding short-term overseas visitors in Australia), with an allowance for Census net undercount, to which are added the estimated number of Australian residents temporarily overseas at the time of the Census. A person is regarded as a usual resident if they have been (or expected to be) residing in Australia for a period of 12 months or more over a 16-month period. This data is ABS data (catalogue number: 3235.0) available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. For more information please visit the Explanatory Notes. AURIN has spatially enabled the data. Regions which contain unpublished data have been left blank in the dataset.

Urban population (% of total population) in Australia was reported at 86.75 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Australia - Urban population (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Humans have been living on the continent of Australia (name derived from "Terra Australis"; Latin for "the southern land") for approximately 65,000 years, however population growth was relatively slow until the nineteenth century. Europeans had made some contact with Australia as early as 1606, however there was no significant attempt at settlement until the late eighteenth century. By 1800, the population of Australia was approximately 350,000 people, and the majority of these were Indigenous Australians. As colonization progressed the number of ethnic Europeans increased while the Australian Aboriginal population was decimated through conflict, smallpox and other diseases, with some communities being exterminated completely, such as Aboriginal Tasmanians. Mass migration from Britain and China After the loss of its American colonies in the 1780s, the British Empire looked to other parts of the globe to expand its sphere of influence. In Australia, the first colonies were established in Sydney, Tasmania and Western Australia. Many of these were penal colonies which became home to approximately 164,000 British and Irish convicts who were transported to Australia between 1788 and 1868. As the decades progressed, expansion into the interior intensified, and the entire country was claimed by Britain in 1826. Inland colonization led to further conflict between European settlers and indigenous Australians, which cost the lives of thousands of natives. Inward expansion also saw the discovery of many natural resources, and most notably led to the gold rushes of the 1850s, which attracted substantial numbers of Chinese migrants to Australia. This mass migration from non-European countries eventually led to some restrictive policies being introduced, culminating with the White Australia Policy of 1901, which cemented ethnic-European dominance in Australian politics and society. These policies were not retracted until the second half of the 1900s. Independent Australia Australia changed its status to a British dominion in 1901, and eventually became independent in 1931. Despite this, Australia has remained a part of the British Commonwealth, and Australian forces (ANZAC) fought with the British and their Allies in both World Wars, and were instrumental in campaigns such as Gallipoli in WWI, and the South West Pacific Theater in WWII. The aftermath of both wars had a significant impact on the Australian population, with approximately 90 thousand deaths in both world wars combined, as well as 15 thousand deaths as a result of the Spanish flu pandemic following WWI, although Australia experienced a significant baby boom following the Second World War. In the past fifty years, Australia has promoted immigration from all over the world, and now has one of the strongest economies and highest living standards in the world, with a population that has grown to over 25 million people in 2020.

There were 22 800 000 Facebook users in Australia in January 2025, which accounted for 82.9% of its entire population. The majority of them were women - 52.6%. People aged 25 to 34 were the largest user group (6 000 000). The highest difference between men and women occurs within people aged 65 and above, where women lead by 1 100 000.

Civilian Population: 15 Years & Over: Male: 55-59 Years data was reported at 756.112 Person th in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 755.334 Person th for Jan 2025. Civilian Population: 15 Years & Over: Male: 55-59 Years data is updated monthly, averaging 515.193 Person th from Feb 1978 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 565 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 766.126 Person th in Jun 2020 and a record low of 340.307 Person th in Feb 1978. Civilian Population: 15 Years & Over: Male: 55-59 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G001: Civilian Population: by Age, Sex and Status.

Graph and download economic data for Population Ages 0 to 14 for Australia (SPPOP0014TOZSAUS) from 1960 to 2024 about 0 to 14 years, Australia, and population.

This dataset contains estimates of the resident population and estimates of the components of population change as at 30 June for the years 2001-2020. The data is aggregated to the 2020 Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Local Government Areas (LGA).

This data is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (Catalogue Number: 3218.0).

For more information please visit the Regional population methodology.

Notes: The population estimates in this issue are final for 2001 to 2016, revised for 2017 to 2019, and preliminary for 2020. Estimated resident population (ERP) is the official estimate of the Australian population, which links people to a place of usual residence within Australia. Usual residence within Australia refers to that address at which the person has lived or intends to live for six months or more in a given reference year. For the 30 June reference date, this refers to the calendar year around it. Estimated resident population is based on Census counts by place of usual residence (excluding short-term overseas visitors in Australia), with an allowance for Census net undercount, to which are added the estimated number of Australian residents temporarily overseas at the time of the Census.

AURIN has ingested this dataset in its GeoPackage format.

This report analyses the Australian population aged 18 and older, including all citizens and residents. A resident is someone that has been residing in, or plans to reside in, Australia for 12 months or more over a 16-month period. The data for this report is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and is measured in people residing in Australia at the end of each financial year.

Estimated Resident Population (ERP) is the official measure of the Australian population. ERP for sub-state regions (including SA2s and LGAs) is published annually, with a reference date of 30 June. ERP is the official measure of the Australian population, based on the concept of usual residence. It refers to all people, regardless of nationality, citizenship or legal status, who usually live in Australia, with the exception of foreign diplomatic personnel and their families. Note, years 2012-2016 describe preliminary rebased (PR) data. For more information about PR refer to the dataset's Explanatory Notes. This dataset has been compiled using Census data, mathematical models and a range of indicator data. Current indicators include building approvals, Medicare enrolments (provided by the Department of Human Services) and electoral enrolments (provided by the Australian Electoral Commission). Data is sourced from: ABS.Stat and further information is available at http://stat.data.abs.gov.au/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=ABS_ERP_LGA2016. For additional information about this dataset and other related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.