Australia’s population has experienced steady growth over the past several decades, driven by both natural increase (the excess of births over deaths) and significant levels of immigration. As of 2024, Australia’s population is estimated to be around 26.8 million people, up from approximately 19.5 million in the year 2000. Much of this growth has been concentrated in major urban centers such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, leading to increasing urbanization. While the natural increase has contributed, net overseas migration has been the dominant factor in recent years, especially following the easing of COVID-19 border restrictions. This sustained population growth has presented both opportunities and challenges for Australia, impacting infrastructure, housing, and environmental sustainability.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 8,267,337 | 1.1 |
| 1955 | 9,277,087 | 1.2 |
| 1960 | 10,361,273 | 1.3 |
| 1965 | 11,439,384 | 1.5 |
| 1970 | 12,660,160 | 1.6 |
| 1975 | 13,771,400 | 1.8 |
| 1980 | 14,534,756 | 1.9 |
| 1985 | 15,499,863 | 2 |
| 1990 | 16,738,778 | 2.2 |
| 1995 | 17,758,170 | 2.3 |
| 2000 | 18,835,722 | 2.5 |
| 2005 | 20,014,831 | 2.6 |
| 2010 | 21,839,563 | 2.8 |
| 2015 | 23,618,255 | 3.1 |
| 2020 | 25,467,706 | 3.3 |
| 2022 | 26,141,369 | 3.4 |
| 2023 | 26,461,166 | 3.4 |
| 2024 | 26,768,598 | 3.5 |
| 2025 | 27,062,848 | 3.5 |
| 2030 | 28,467,091 | 3.7 |
| 2035 | 29,791,638 | 3.9 |
| 2040 | 31,042,695 | 4 |
| 2045 | 32,236,019 | 4.2 |
| 2050 | 33,374,282 | 4.3 |
| 2055 | 34,463,825 | 4.5 |
| 2060 | 35,510,244 | 4.6 |
| 2065 | 36,510,675 | 4.8 |
| 2070 | 37,464,395 | 4.9 |
| 2075 | 38,365,785 | 5 |
| 2080 | 39,208,435 | 5.1 |
| 2085 | 39,984,747 | 5.2 |
| 2090 | 40,702,488 | 5.3 |
| 2095 | 41,377,858 | 5.4 |
| 2100 | 42,023,308 | 5.5 |
Data from US Census International Database