Oceania · Australia and New Zealand
Australia Demographics
Australia combines steady population growth, below-replacement fertility, high life expectancy, strong urban concentration, and a slowly ageing age structure.
Population values mainly use Australian Bureau of Statistics Estimated Resident Population. The national headline is ABS ERP at 31 December 2025; detailed age-sex values use ABS ERP at 30 June 2025. Fertility uses ABS registered births for 2024. Life expectancy uses ABS life tables for 2022-2024. Urban population uses World Bank WDI for 2024. The next scheduled ABS national population release is 17 September 2026.
Last updated: 22 July 2026
Core Demographic Indicators
Detailed Demographic Indicators
| Indicator | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated resident population | 27,801,023 | 31 Dec 2025 | ABS National, state and territory population, December 2025 |
| Annual population change | +412,500 people · 1.5% | Year ending 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP components |
| Quarterly population change | +78,638 people · 0.3% | Dec quarter 2025 | ABS ERP components |
| Births | 299,984 | Year ending 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP components |
| Deaths | 188,445 | Year ending 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP components |
| Natural increase | +111,500 | Year ending 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP components |
| Overseas migration arrivals | 563,544 | Year ending 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP components |
| Overseas migration departures | 262,589 | Year ending 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP components |
| Net overseas migration | +301,000 | Year ending 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP components |
| Median age | 38.4 years | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| Male population | 13,708,285 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS single-year age-sex ERP |
| Female population | 13,905,369 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS single-year age-sex ERP |
| Sex ratio | 98.6 males per 100 females | 30 Jun 2025 | Calculated from ABS age-sex ERP |
| Aged 0-14 | 4,803,858 · 17.4% | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| Aged 15-64 | 17,970,279 · 65.1% | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| Aged 65+ | 4,839,517 · 17.5% | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| Total fertility rate | 1.481 births per woman | 2024 | ABS Births, Australia, 2024 |
| Registered births | 292,318 | 2024 | ABS Births, Australia, 2024 |
| Life expectancy at birth, males | 81.1 years | 2022-2024 | ABS Life expectancy, 2022-2024 |
| Life expectancy at birth, females | 85.1 years | 2022-2024 | ABS Life expectancy, 2022-2024 |
| Urban population share | 87.6% | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Urban population count | 23,824,991 | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Land area | 7,688,287 km² | 2025 page update | Geoscience Australia |
| Population density | 3.6 people per km² | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS Regional population, 2024-25 |
Table analysis
- The December 2025 ABS ERP headline is 27,801,023, while detailed age-sex tables use the June 2025 ERP base of 27,613,654.
- Net overseas migration accounted for about 73.0% of the 412,500 annual population increase in the year ending 31 December 2025.
- The 65+ population was slightly larger than the 0-14 population in June 2025: 4.84 million compared with 4.80 million.
- Female life expectancy at birth exceeded male life expectancy by 4.0 years in the 2022-2024 ABS life tables.
Population Trend
Australia Population Trend
Estimated resident population at 30 June, selected years from the ABS single-year age dataset.
Source: ABS Estimated Resident Population by single year of age, Australia, 1971-2025. The December 2025 national headline is shown in the indicators table and is not mixed into this June trend line.
Trend analysis
- Australia’s June ERP increased from 13.07 million in 1971 to 27.61 million in 2025.
- The June series passed 20 million between 2000 and 2005, then reached 25.65 million in 2020.
- The 2021 annual change in the June series was much smaller than later years: +36,164 people, compared with +641,201 in 2023.
Historical Population Table
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Yearly % change | Density | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 13,067,265 | Data not available | Data not available | 1.7 per km² | ABS June ERP |
| 1975 | 13,892,995 | +170,424 | 1.24% | 1.8 per km² | ABS June ERP |
| 1980 | 14,695,356 | +179,627 | 1.24% | 1.9 per km² | ABS June ERP |
| 1985 | 15,788,312 | +208,921 | 1.34% | 2.1 per km² | ABS June ERP |
| 1990 | 17,065,128 | +250,712 | 1.49% | 2.2 per km² | ABS June ERP |
| 1995 | 18,004,882 | +199,414 | 1.12% | 2.3 per km² | ABS June ERP |
| 2000 | 19,028,802 | +216,538 | 1.15% | 2.5 per km² | ABS June ERP |
| 2005 | 20,176,844 | +244,122 | 1.22% | 2.6 per km² | ABS June ERP |
| 2010 | 22,031,750 | +340,097 | 1.57% | 2.9 per km² | ABS June ERP |
| 2015 | 23,815,995 | +340,309 | 1.45% | 3.1 per km² | ABS June ERP |
| 2020 | 25,649,248 | +314,422 | 1.24% | 3.3 per km² | ABS June ERP |
| 2021 | 25,685,412 | +36,164 | 0.14% | 3.3 per km² | ABS June ERP |
| 2022 | 26,018,721 | +333,309 | 1.30% | 3.4 per km² | ABS June ERP |
| 2023 | 26,659,922 | +641,201 | 2.46% | 3.5 per km² | ABS June ERP |
| 2024 | 27,194,286 | +534,364 | 2.00% | 3.5 per km² | ABS June ERP |
| 2025 | 27,613,654 | +419,368 | 1.54% | 3.6 per km² | ABS June ERP |
Table analysis
- The June ERP table uses one consistent source and one timing basis: ABS estimated resident population at 30 June.
- The displayed density is rounded and stays low by international comparison because Australia has a very large land area.
- The largest selected one-year increase in this table is +641,201 in 2023.
Population Growth Components
Natural Increase and Net Overseas Migration
Main components of annual population growth in the year ending 31 December 2025.
Source: ABS National, state and territory population, December 2025. Components are annual values for the year ending 31 December 2025.
Chart analysis
- Net overseas migration of 301,000 was larger than natural increase of 111,500.
- Net overseas migration supplied about 73.0% of Australia’s annual population increase.
- The two rounded components sum to 412,500, matching the annual population increase reported by ABS.
Share of Annual Population Growth
Contribution of natural increase and net overseas migration to population growth in the year ending 31 December 2025.
Source: Calculated from ABS National, state and territory population, December 2025. Shares use the rounded annual components published in the release.
Chart analysis
- About three out of every four people added to Australia’s population over the year came through net overseas migration.
- Natural increase supplied about 27.0% of annual growth.
- Net overseas migration was lower than in the year ending September 2025 and supplied about 73.0% of annual growth.
Growth Components Table
| Component | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Births | 299,984 | Year ending 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP components |
| Deaths | 188,445 | Year ending 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP components |
| Natural increase | +111,500 | Year ending 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP components |
| Overseas migration arrivals | 563,544 | Year ending 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP components |
| Overseas migration departures | 262,589 | Year ending 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP components |
| Net overseas migration | +301,000 | Year ending 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP components |
| Total annual population growth | +412,500 | Year ending 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP components |
Table analysis
- There were 299,984 births and 188,445 deaths in the annual components table.
- Overseas migration arrivals exceeded departures by about 301,000 people.
- Migration components measure overseas migration; they are not the same as interstate migration inside Australia.
Age Structure
Broad Age Structure
Population share by broad age group at 30 June 2025.
Source: ABS age-sex ERP, 30 June 2025. Percentages are calculated from the displayed age-group totals.
Chart analysis
- The working-age group 15-64 represented 65.1% of the June 2025 ERP.
- The 65+ share was 17.5%, slightly above the 0-14 share of 17.4%.
Age Structure Table
| Age group | Population | Share | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-14 | 4,803,858 | 17.4% | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 15-64 | 17,970,279 | 65.1% | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 65+ | 4,839,517 | 17.5% | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
Table analysis
- The broad age table is not a population pyramid; it groups ages into three large bands.
- The 65+ population was 35,659 larger than the 0-14 population in June 2025.
Age-Sex Population Structure
Australia Population Pyramid
Population by five-year age group and sex at 30 June 2025.
Source: ABS Estimated Resident Population by single year of age and sex, grouped into five-year age bands for 30 June 2025. Male values are stored as negative values only for left-side chart placement.
Age-sex analysis
- The largest five-year age band in this grouping was 30-34, with 2,065,124 people.
- Male counts were higher than female counts in the younger age bands up to 25-29.
- Female counts were higher from 30-34 onward in most older age groups.
- The 65+ population was female-heavy: 2,582,098 females compared with 2,257,419 males.
- The 100+ group had 5,237 females and 2,108 males in the ABS ERP grouping.
Age-Sex Population Table
| Age group | Male | Female | Total | Male share | Female share | Sex ratio | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 778,939 | 738,504 | 1,517,443 | 51.3% | 48.7% | 105.5 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 5-9 | 824,442 | 779,406 | 1,603,848 | 51.4% | 48.6% | 105.8 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 10-14 | 865,185 | 817,382 | 1,682,567 | 51.4% | 48.6% | 105.8 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 15-19 | 877,049 | 827,311 | 1,704,360 | 51.5% | 48.5% | 106.0 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 20-24 | 943,415 | 871,452 | 1,814,867 | 52.0% | 48.0% | 108.3 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 25-29 | 1,029,117 | 996,470 | 2,025,587 | 50.8% | 49.2% | 103.3 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 30-34 | 1,027,946 | 1,037,178 | 2,065,124 | 49.8% | 50.2% | 99.1 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 35-39 | 1,001,056 | 1,017,753 | 2,018,809 | 49.6% | 50.4% | 98.4 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 40-44 | 950,136 | 962,741 | 1,912,877 | 49.7% | 50.3% | 98.7 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 45-49 | 813,061 | 838,005 | 1,651,066 | 49.2% | 50.8% | 97.0 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 50-54 | 830,429 | 856,468 | 1,686,897 | 49.2% | 50.8% | 97.0 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 55-59 | 761,691 | 792,359 | 1,554,050 | 49.0% | 51.0% | 96.1 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 60-64 | 748,400 | 788,242 | 1,536,642 | 48.7% | 51.3% | 94.9 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 65-69 | 666,396 | 721,717 | 1,388,113 | 48.0% | 52.0% | 92.3 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 70-74 | 567,069 | 625,653 | 1,192,722 | 47.5% | 52.5% | 90.6 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 75-79 | 480,354 | 530,873 | 1,011,227 | 47.5% | 52.5% | 90.5 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 80-84 | 298,900 | 345,782 | 644,682 | 46.4% | 53.6% | 86.4 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 85-89 | 163,246 | 215,764 | 379,010 | 43.1% | 56.9% | 75.7 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 90-94 | 62,720 | 102,757 | 165,477 | 37.9% | 62.1% | 61.0 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 95-99 | 16,626 | 34,315 | 50,941 | 32.6% | 67.4% | 48.5 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 100+ | 2,108 | 5,237 | 7,345 | 28.7% | 71.3% | 40.3 | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS age-sex ERP |
Age-sex analysis
- The highest male share among the displayed age groups was 52.0% in ages 20-24.
- The highest female share was 71.3% in ages 100+.
- The working-age 15-64 group was nearly balanced, with a sex ratio of about 99.9 males per 100 females.
- The age-sex table uses grouped ABS single-year ERP data, not survey estimates.
Sex Ratio by Age Group
Males per 100 females by five-year age group, 30 June 2025.
Source: Calculated from ABS age-sex ERP, 30 June 2025.
Chart analysis
- The highest sex ratio in the displayed bands was 108.3 males per 100 females at ages 20-24.
- The sex ratio falls below 100 from ages 30-34 onward in this grouping.
- The oldest groups are female-heavy: the 100+ group had 40.3 males per 100 females.
Male and Female Population Over Time
Selected June ERP years by sex.
Source: ABS single-year age-sex ERP, selected 30 June years.
Trend analysis
- In 1971, the male ERP was slightly higher than the female ERP: 6.57 million males and 6.50 million females.
- By 2025, the female ERP was higher: 13.91 million females and 13.71 million males.
- The total sex ratio moved from 101.1 males per 100 females in 1971 to 98.6 in 2025.
Male and Female Trend Table
| Year | Male | Female | Total | Male share | Female share | Sex ratio | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 6,567,936 | 6,499,329 | 13,067,265 | 50.3% | 49.7% | 101.1 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 1980 | 7,338,060 | 7,357,296 | 14,695,356 | 49.9% | 50.1% | 99.7 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 1990 | 8,511,269 | 8,553,859 | 17,065,128 | 49.9% | 50.1% | 99.5 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 2000 | 9,443,465 | 9,585,337 | 19,028,802 | 49.6% | 50.4% | 98.5 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 2010 | 10,967,831 | 11,063,919 | 22,031,750 | 49.8% | 50.2% | 99.1 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 2020 | 12,728,639 | 12,920,609 | 25,649,248 | 49.6% | 50.4% | 98.5 | ABS age-sex ERP |
| 2025 | 13,708,285 | 13,905,369 | 27,613,654 | 49.6% | 50.4% | 98.6 | ABS age-sex ERP |
Table analysis
- The selected-year table shows a long-run female numerical majority from 1980 onward.
- Male and female shares have remained close to 50/50 across the selected years.
- The trend table uses June ERP only, avoiding mixed timing with the December 2025 headline release.
Fertility and Life Expectancy
Fertility Rate Compared With Replacement Level
Total fertility rate in 2024 compared with the broad replacement-level benchmark.
Source: ABS Births, Australia, 2024. The replacement-level benchmark is shown as 2.1 births per woman.
Chart analysis
- The 2024 total fertility rate was 1.481 births per woman.
- The rate is below the broad replacement-level benchmark of 2.1 births per woman.
- ABS reports Australia has been below replacement level since 1976.
Fertility Table
| Year | Fertility rate | Births | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 3.067 | 190,591 | ABS Births historical series |
| 1961 | 3.548 | Data not available | ABS Births historical series |
| 1976 | 2.060 | Data not available | ABS Births historical series |
| 1980 | 1.891 | Data not available | ABS Births historical series |
| 1990 | 1.902 | Data not available | ABS Births historical series |
| 2000 | 1.769 | Data not available | ABS Births historical series |
| 2010 | 1.954 | Data not available | ABS Births historical series |
| 2020 | 1.593 | Data not available | ABS Births historical series |
| 2021 | 1.696 | Data not available | ABS Births historical series |
| 2022 | 1.631 | Data not available | ABS Births historical series |
| 2023 | 1.499 | Data not available | ABS Births historical series |
| 2024 | 1.481 | 292,318 | ABS Births, Australia, 2024 |
Table analysis
- The selected fertility series peaks in this table at 3.548 births per woman in 1961.
- The 2024 rate of 1.481 is below every other selected value shown here.
- Birth counts are only shown where they were verified in the current source extract; missing birth-count cells are not estimated.
Life Expectancy by Sex
Life expectancy at birth for males and females, 2022-2024.
Source: ABS Life expectancy, Australia, 2022-2024.
Chart analysis
- Female life expectancy at birth was 85.1 years in 2022-2024.
- Male life expectancy at birth was 81.1 years in the same ABS life table period.
- The female-male gap was 4.0 years.
Life Expectancy Table
| Period | Male | Female | Gap | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 73.3 | 79.6 | 6.3 | ABS life tables |
| 1994 | 75.0 | 80.9 | 5.9 | ABS life tables |
| 2000-2002 | 77.4 | 82.6 | 5.2 | ABS life tables |
| 2010-2012 | 79.9 | 84.3 | 4.4 | ABS life tables |
| 2019-2021 | 81.3 | 85.4 | 4.1 | ABS life tables |
| 2020-2022 | 81.2 | 85.3 | 4.1 | ABS life tables |
| 2021-2023 | 81.1 | 85.1 | 4.0 | ABS life tables |
| 2022-2024 | 81.1 | 85.1 | 4.0 | ABS Life expectancy, 2022-2024 |
Table analysis
- Male life expectancy rose from 73.3 years in 1989 to 81.1 years in 2022-2024.
- Female life expectancy rose from 79.6 years in 1989 to 85.1 years in 2022-2024.
- The female-male gap narrowed from 6.3 years in 1989 to 4.0 years in 2022-2024.
Urban Population and Capital Cities
Urban and Non-Urban Population Share
World Bank WDI urban population share for 2024.
Source: World Bank WDI, 2024. Urban population follows the WDI urban series and national urban definitions used in that dataset.
Chart analysis
- The WDI urban population share for Australia was 87.6% in 2024.
- The WDI urban population count for the same year was 23,824,991.
- Urban definitions can differ by dataset; this chart follows WDI rather than ABS capital-city geography.
Capital City Population Table
| Capital city | Population | Annual change | Growth rate | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 5,638,830 | +75,230 | 1.4% | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS Regional population, GCCSA |
| Melbourne | 5,435,590 | +105,030 | 2.0% | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS Regional population, GCCSA |
| Brisbane | 2,833,524 | +58,223 | 2.1% | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS Regional population, GCCSA |
| Adelaide | 1,491,015 | +18,647 | 1.3% | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS Regional population, GCCSA |
| Perth | 2,452,765 | +58,088 | 2.4% | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS Regional population, GCCSA |
| Hobart | 255,250 | +542 | 0.2% | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS Regional population, GCCSA |
| Darwin | 159,284 | +2,719 | 1.7% | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS Regional population, GCCSA |
| Canberra | 484,630 | +6,200 | 1.3% | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS Regional population, GCCSA |
| Total capital cities | 18,750,888 | +324,679 | 1.8% | 30 Jun 2025 | ABS Regional population, GCCSA |
Table analysis
- Greater Sydney and Greater Melbourne were the two largest capital-city areas in the ABS GCCSA table.
- Melbourne had the largest annual increase among capital cities shown here: +105,030.
- Perth had the highest displayed growth rate among capital cities: 2.4%.
- The capital-city table uses GCCSA boundaries, which are not the same as the World Bank urban population definition.
Population Projection
Medium Series Population Projection
ABS projection series using the 2022 base year and medium assumptions.
Source: ABS Population Projections, Australia, 2022 base to 2071. Projection values are scenario outputs, not observed population. The 2071 medium value is shown rounded to the nearest thousand in the published ABS summary table.
Projection analysis
- The ABS medium series rises from a 2022 base of 26.01 million to 29.29 million in 2030.
- The published ABS medium value for 2071 is about 39.19 million.
- The ABS projection range for 2071 is 34.3 million to 45.9 million across projection series.
- Projection values depend on fertility, mortality and migration assumptions and should not be read as observed counts.
Projection Scenario Table
| Year | Projected population | Projected annual growth | Migration assumption | Median age | Scenario | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 26,013,061 | Data not available | Data not available | 38.5 years | Medium series base | ABS Population Projections |
| 2025 | 27,395,011 | 1.6% | 304,000 | 39.0 years | Medium series | ABS Population Projections |
| 2030 | 29,294,970 | 1.2% | 248,000 | 40.0 years | Medium series | ABS Population Projections |
| 2032 | 29,944,139 | 1.1% | 225,000 | 40.4 years | Medium series | ABS Population Projections |
| 2071 | 34,343,000 | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Low series | ABS Population Projections |
| 2071 | 39,185,000 | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Medium series | ABS Population Projections |
| 2071 | 45,889,000 | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | High series | ABS Population Projections |
Projection analysis
- The table separates medium-series annual projection rows from the 2071 low, medium and high summary values.
- The 2071 range is wide: 34.34 million in the low series and 45.89 million in the high series.
- Missing assumption cells are left as “Data not available” rather than filled from other series or years.
State and Territory Population
Population by State and Territory
Estimated resident population at 31 December 2025.
Source: ABS National, state and territory population, December 2025. All values use the same ERP release and timing basis.
Chart analysis
- New South Wales was the largest state or territory in this ABS release, with 8.64 million residents.
- Victoria followed with 7.12 million, and Queensland had 5.71 million.
- Western Australia had the highest annual growth rate among the displayed states and territories: 2.2%.
State and Territory Table
| State or territory | Population | Annual growth | Natural increase | Net interstate migration | Net overseas migration | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 8,641,085 | 1.2% | 35,115 | -21,465 | 90,961 | 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP |
| Victoria | 7,121,913 | 1.7% | 32,956 | -685 | 85,044 | 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP |
| Queensland | 5,712,124 | 1.6% | 21,030 | 16,528 | 54,604 | 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP |
| South Australia | 1,910,553 | 1.0% | 2,786 | -1,576 | 18,518 | 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP |
| Western Australia | 3,076,528 | 2.2% | 14,624 | 10,419 | 40,422 | 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP |
| Tasmania | 579,110 | 0.5% | 297 | -452 | 3,063 | 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP |
| Northern Territory | 267,478 | 1.6% | 1,889 | -1,228 | 3,579 | 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP |
| Australian Capital Territory | 487,202 | 1.3% | 2,836 | -1,541 | 4,738 | 31 Dec 2025 | ABS ERP |
Table analysis
- New South Wales and Victoria together accounted for more than 15.7 million residents in the December 2025 ERP release.
- Queensland had positive net interstate migration of 16,528, while New South Wales had negative net interstate migration of -21,465.
- Every state and territory in the table had positive net overseas migration in the year ending 31 December 2025.
Demographic Overview
Australia continued to grow in the December 2025 ERP release, adding 412,500 people over the year.
The 65+ population was slightly larger than the 0-14 population in June 2025.
The total sex ratio was 98.6 males per 100 females, with older age bands more female-heavy.
The 2024 fertility rate was 1.481 births per woman, below the broad replacement benchmark of 2.1.
Net overseas migration of 301,000 supplied about 73.0% of annual growth in the year ending 31 December 2025.
World Bank WDI places Australia’s urban population share at 87.6% in 2024, while ABS capital-city geography uses separate GCCSA boundaries.
ABS medium-series projections place Australia near 39.2 million by 2071, with low and high series giving a wider range.
National headline, age-sex detail, urban share and projections come from different datasets and should not be treated as one single measurement system.
Data Sources and Methodology
| Source | Year or release | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Bureau of Statistics, National, state and territory population | December 2025 release, published June 2026 | Headline ERP, annual growth, quarterly growth, births, deaths, natural increase, overseas migration, state and territory comparison |
| Australian Bureau of Statistics, ERP by single year of age and sex | 30 June 2025 age-sex data | Age structure, population pyramid, age-sex table, sex ratio by age group, median age, male/female trend, historical June ERP |
| Australian Bureau of Statistics, Births, Australia | 2024 release, published October 2025 | Total fertility rate, registered births, fertility comparison with replacement level, fertility trend table |
| Australian Bureau of Statistics, Life expectancy | 2022-2024 release, published November 2025 | Life expectancy at birth by sex and life expectancy gap table |
| Australian Bureau of Statistics, Regional population | 2024-25 financial year release, published March 2026 | Capital city population table and population density note |
| Australian Bureau of Statistics, Population Projections, Australia | 2022 base to 2071 projection release | Projection chart, projection table, low-medium-high 2071 range and projection caution |
| World Bank World Development Indicators | 2024 | Urban population share and urban population count |
| Geoscience Australia | 2025 page update | Land area used with rounded density context |
Method note
- Only sources that support visible values, tables, charts or notes on this page are listed.
- ABS ERP is preferred for resident population because it is Australia’s official resident-population measure.
- World Bank WDI is used only for the urban series because it provides a comparable urban population definition.
Indicator Definitions
| Indicator | Definition | Unit | Source note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated resident population | ABS measure of the usually resident population at a reference date. | People | December 2025 headline and June 2025 age-sex tables use different reference dates. |
| Natural increase | Births minus deaths over the period. | People | Used from ABS annual components for the year ending 31 December 2025. |
| Net overseas migration | Overseas arrivals minus overseas departures under ABS migration measurement rules. | People | Not the same as interstate migration between Australian states and territories. |
| Total fertility rate | Average number of births a woman would have if current age-specific fertility rates applied across reproductive ages. | Births per woman | ABS registered births, 2024. |
| Life expectancy at birth | Average years of life expected at birth under period life table mortality rates. | Years | ABS life table period 2022-2024. |
| Sex ratio | Male population divided by female population, multiplied by 100. | Males per 100 females | Calculated from ABS age-sex ERP where shown. |
| Urban population share | Population classified as urban in the WDI urban population series. | Percent of total population | World Bank WDI 2024; not interchangeable with ABS capital-city GCCSA boundaries. |
| Projection | Scenario-based population path under stated assumptions. | People | ABS projections are not observed data and not guaranteed predictions. |
Method note
- Resident population, urban population and projection values use different definitions and should be compared with care.
- Derived percentages and sex ratios are rounded for display.
- Cells marked “Data not available” were not filled with estimates from weaker or mismatched sources.
Methodological Safety Note
Methodological Safety Note: Australia’s headline population here is ABS estimated resident population at 31 December 2025, while the age-sex structure, population pyramid and historical trend use ABS ERP at 30 June. Census counts, resident-population estimates, urban population definitions and projection scenarios are not the same measure. Projection values are scenario outputs, not observed counts. Urban share follows World Bank WDI definitions. Migration values refer to ABS overseas migration unless interstate migration is named separately. Values are rounded for display, and missing values are shown as “Data not available” rather than estimated.
FAQ
What is Australia’s population in the latest ABS ERP release used here?
Australia’s estimated resident population was 27,801,023 at 31 December 2025 in the ABS national population release.
Is Australia’s fertility rate below replacement level?
Yes. The ABS total fertility rate for 2024 was 1.481 births per woman, below the broad replacement-level benchmark of 2.1.
Does Australia have more males or females?
The June 2025 ABS age-sex ERP counted 13,708,285 males and 13,905,369 females, giving a sex ratio of 98.6 males per 100 females.
How much of Australia’s recent growth came from overseas migration?
Net overseas migration was 301,000 in the year ending 31 December 2025, compared with natural increase of 111,500. Migration supplied about 73.0% of the total annual increase.
Are the projection values forecasts?
No. ABS population projections are scenario-based outputs under stated assumptions. They are separated from observed and estimated population values in this profile.