National
Australia population growth slows to 1.5% as total reaches 27.8 Million
Australia population growth reached 1.5% in 2025 as the national population climbed to 27.8 million. New ABS figures show migration remained the main driver of growth, while Western Australia led all states. Australia subsequently passed the 28 million mark, extending a decade-long expansion in population.
Australia Population Growth – Over 412,000 gain in 2025 due to Migration. Australia's population rose to 27.8 million at end-2025, with immigration remaining the biggest contributor to the country’s population growth, newly released Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data reveals.
The country expanded its population by 412,500 people in the year to December 31, translating to annual growth of 1.5%. The population grew by 78,638 people over the three months to year-end. Migration continues to drive growth.
Overseas migration added 301,000 people to Australia in 2025, accounting for the vast majority of population growth, while natural increase (births minus deaths) added 111,500 people. Though migration is the dominant factor behind Australia's population growth, the latest figures show some slowdown compared to last year's post-pandemic peak following the re-opening of the borders.
Migration continues to be a key source for growing the workforce and consumer base for many businesses in Australia. Overseas born people accounted for around 32 per cent of the Australian population in mid-2025, one of the highest shares of any advanced economy, ABS data suggests.
Western Australia and Queensland leading growth Western Australia recorded the highest population growth rate of 2.2 per cent for the year to December, ahead of Victoria (1.7 per cent) as well as Queensland and Northern Territory (1.6 per cent). Interstate migration was largely stable with Queensland gaining 16,528 people from other states and territories, while WA gained 10,419 people.
New South Wales suffered the largest net interstate loss, dropping 21,465 people. The vast majority of incoming international migrants flocked to New South Wales, which gained 181,000 people in 2025, followed by Victoria, which saw 156,000 net overseas migrants.
Australia currently is less than 28 million but future data would indicate that this would pass over 28 million during the June Quarter of 2026.
Source: Capital Brief
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