Snapshots

These snapshots show the population trends in Australia’s states and territories.

They explain what is driving population change in each state and territory and how trends differ between capital cities and rest-of-state areas.

Western Australia is expected to stay Australia’s fastest growing state or territory in the coming years, while Tasmania will remain the slowest growing.

This snapshot shows the main trends shaping Australia’s population.

The snapshot describes how Australia’s combined capital cities and rest-of-state areas are expected to grow in the coming years.

Overall, capital cities are projected to grow nearly twice as fast as rest-of-state areas.

The overseas born population has become more diverse over time, comprising of 236 overseas countries of birth in 2021.

Over the last 35 years interstate migration has fallen by a third and natural increase has halved as a share of the total population.

Australia’s population has doubled over the last 50 years. Our population is older, with fewer children, and a new peak age group has emerged.