In 1990, Australia's population was approximately 17.1 million, and by 2023, it had grown to around 26.6 million, reflecting an increase of over 9 million people during this period.
This growth has been driven by several key factors, including high immigration rates and natural population increases. Australia has maintained a robust immigration policy over the years, attracting skilled migrants, students, and families, contributing significantly to its population expansion. For instance, between 2000 and 2010, the population grew from 19.0 million to 22.0 million, a period marked by a high intake of international migrants.
In more recent years, despite the global challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia's population continued to grow, reaching 26.6 million in 2023. However, the rate of growth slowed slightly in 2020 and 2021, reflecting the impact of travel restrictions and lower immigration during the pandemic. Nevertheless, the overall trend has remained upward, with population growth resuming at a stronger pace post-pandemic, supported by a gradual reopening of borders and resumption of immigration in 2022.
For a broader context, visit other statistics on Australia’s working-age population ratio, Australia’s goods trade balance overview, Australia’s shifting median age.
