Australia’s population has officially moved past 28 million, with the latest growth powered more by migration than by the birth rate.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics population clock showed the country reached the milestone on Tuesday, with one new person being added to the population every 75 seconds.
For new parents Lucy and Christian, the timing was especially memorable, with their baby Sophie arriving just as the nation crossed the 28 million mark.
“This is our first baby, so we’re learning lots of new things,” they said. “It’s exciting.”
Their daughter’s arrival comes at a time of rapid national growth. To illustrate the scale, gathering all 28 million Australians in one place would require 57,000 A380s, and the entire population would fill 280 Melbourne Cricket Grounds.
This newest million has been added faster than any before.
At Federation in 1901, Australia’s population was just under 4 million. By the time of the Melbourne Olympics in 1956, it had climbed to 9.5 million. In 1976, it stood at 14 million. During the Sydney Olympics in 2000, the population was 19 million. Since then, it has grown by almost 50 per cent to reach today’s figure of 28 million.
“Australia’s growth is being largely driven by net overseas migration,” ANU demographer Dr Liza Allen said.
Each day, about 630 people are born in Australia and around 400 die. More than 1400 people arrive to live in the country, while about 550 leave. That produces a daily population increase of 1150.
On the world stage, a population of 28 million makes Australia the 55th largest country by population, placing it ahead of North Korea and drawing closer to Venezuela.
The country’s demographic shape is changing as well. In the 1980s, 10-year-olds were the largest age group. Today, the biggest cohort is people in their mid to late 30s, and the average age is now 39.
“Australia’s population is ageing. Total fertility rates are declining,” Allen said.
Even so, Australia is expected to hit 30 million within five years, as Sophie begins life with an expected lifespan of 85 years.
“We just hope that she’s going to be happy,” they said.
