The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Eight charts on how Australia’s population is growing – and changing

  • Written by Liz Allen, Demographer, POLIS Centre for Social Policy Research, Australian National University
Eight charts on how Australia’s population is growing – and changing

People form the foundation of society, determining all manner of things from housing needs to economic wellbeing. And population characteristics can tell us much about how the inhabitants of a place have changed over time and where the population might be headed in the future.

Australia’s population now numbers around 27 million[1]. On its own, however, this figure says little about our demography. Unpacking Australia’s population composition reveals the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

Living longer and with fewer children

Australians can expect to live into their eighties[2]. Our increased longevity, alongside below-replacement fertility[3], means Australia’s population is structurally ageing. The challenges of an ageing population include greater aged care needs, amid a relative shrinking workforce[4].

In other words, populations like Australia need to work out how to fund more with fewer financial resources or risk declining living standards[5].

The chart below is a unique way to visualise population projections. It shows the size of Australia’s population for males and females, broken down by age. Over time, some ages balloon out, like the 50–80 year olds. Some ages barely move, like the 0–10 year olds. Hover your mouse over each line to see the full population pyramid and additional information.

With Australia on track to become a nation of predominantly middle-aged people (and older) by 2065[6], a healthy and robust workforce is crucial to economic sustainability.

The shape of population age distribution matters more than ever, especially with evidence indicating children in Australia will be outnumbered by people aged 65 and over in the coming ten years[7].

Increasing women’s participation[8] in paid work has been one response[9] to Australia’s ageing workforce. But focusing on women’s economic participation fails to consider the gender bias in unpaid caring, placing enormous pressure on women to do it all[10].

And growing intergenerational inequality threatens the future prospects of young people[11]. Job insecurity, housing affordability, gender inequality and climate change are all placing enormous strain on younger people, contributing to their deep uncertainty about the future. Young people just aren’t getting a go.

High short-term growth, potential for population decline

Australia’s population has grown at a historically high rate[12] since the reopening of international borders during COVID-19. Most of Australia’s population growth is from overseas migration, as has been the case since 2005[13] (except during COVID border closures[14]).

While net overseas migration has increased in the short term, this is projected to decline[15] in the coming years. However, immigration will still contribute the most to population increase.

Natural population increase – the number of births versus deaths – also contributes to Australia’s rising population. However, this rate is also on the decline. By 2054, official projections[16] anticipate deaths will outnumber births, meaning in the absence of overseas immigration the nation’s population would start declining.

Migration helps offset the adverse consequences of an ageing population. Without immigration, Australia’s population would start shrinking decades earlier than expected. The national budget would be adversely impacted and the societal contributions that migrants make would be lost.

More diverse than ever

Half the world has below-replacement fertility, and the average number of births per woman is set to decline even further[17]. Australia is competing with the likes of Germany, Canada, the United States, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to attract suitable people to migrate.

Australia can no longer rely on migration from countries like the UK to sustain its workforce. From a Blak country[18] to a European colonial settlement, Australia now relies heavily on people migrating from India and China.

Not all populations in Australia have the same demography. First Nations people, for example[19], have a much younger age profile and higher growth rate than the non-Indigenous people. They also have a lower life expectancy and higher infant mortality, reflecting the enduring discrimination[20] First Nations people face in Australian society.

City living

Australia’s population is also highly urbanised[21], with a high concentration of people living along the southeastern coastline from southeast Queensland to Victoria.

Cities in Australia continue to reign supreme, growing faster than regional areas overall. Vital infrastructure – transportation, housing, education, health care and employment – are a major draw card. Despite numerous attempts throughout Australia’s history, population decentralisation is unlikely[22].

Cities offer the largest opportunities for education and employment, attracting the bulk of international movers. Sydney and Melbourne draw in more than half the nation’s overseas migration intake.

By 2036, Melbourne is projected to be Australia’s largest capital city[23], not surprising give Sydney has a considerable surplus of people moving[24] to live in other places in Australia. And, no, Melbourne hasn’t already overtaken Sydney[25] – this is just some fancy accounting using unconventional definitions[26].

Households are changing[27], too. More people are living alone, and the number of people in each household on average is declining. A close examination of Australia’s demography helps contextualise the country’s housing mismatch.

Australia’s demography shows a country with great opportunity, so long as the challenges are addressed. Population data enables policymakers to take an evidence-based approach to help shape our country’s future.

References

  1. ^ 27 million (www.abs.gov.au)
  2. ^ their eighties (www.abs.gov.au)
  3. ^ below-replacement fertility (population.gov.au)
  4. ^ shrinking workforce (theconversation.com)
  5. ^ declining living standards (www.ceda.com.au)
  6. ^ by 2065 (www.abs.gov.au)
  7. ^ in the coming ten years (www.abs.gov.au)
  8. ^ women’s participation (www.abs.gov.au)
  9. ^ one response (www.afr.com)
  10. ^ to do it all (www.theguardian.com)
  11. ^ young people (www.theguardian.com)
  12. ^ historically high rate (www.abs.gov.au)
  13. ^ 2005 (theconversation.com)
  14. ^ COVID border closures (www.abs.gov.au)
  15. ^ decline (www.abs.gov.au)
  16. ^ official projections (www.abs.gov.au)
  17. ^ decline even further (www.thelancet.com)
  18. ^ Blak country (theconversation.com)
  19. ^ for example (www.abs.gov.au)
  20. ^ enduring discrimination (www.indigenousmhspc.gov.au)
  21. ^ highly urbanised (www.abs.gov.au)
  22. ^ population decentralisation is unlikely (socialsciences.org.au)
  23. ^ largest capital city (www.abs.gov.au)
  24. ^ people moving (www.abs.gov.au)
  25. ^ overtaken Sydney (www.theguardian.com)
  26. ^ unconventional definitions (www.smh.com.au)
  27. ^ Households are changing (aifs.gov.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/eight-charts-on-how-australias-population-is-growing-and-changing-227153

The Times Features

Itinerary to Maximize Your Two-Week Adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia

Two weeks may not seem like much, but it’s just the right time for travelers to explore the best of Vietnam and Cambodia. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the magnificent te...

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Brisbane Homeowners Warned: Non-Compliant Flexible Hoses Pose High Flood Risk

As a homeowner in Brisbane, when you think of the potential for flood damage to your home, you probably think of weather events. But you should know that there may be a tickin...

Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo: Nourish and Revitalize Your Hair

Are you ready to transform your hair from dull and lifeless to vibrant and full of life? Look no further than the luxurious embrace of Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo! In a...

Building A Strong Foundation For Any Structure

Building a home or commercial building can be very exciting. The possibilities are endless and the future is interesting. You can always change aspects of the building to meet the ...

The Role of a Family Dentist: Why Every Household Needs One

source A family dentist isn’t like your regular dentist who may specialise in a particular age group and whom you visit only when something goes wrong. A family dentist takes proa...

Times Magazine

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

LayBy Shopping