Australia’s population experienced a notable growth of 1.9% in 2022, reaching a total of 26.3 million people, as revealed by the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Beidar Cho, the Head of Demography at ABS, announced the figures, stating, “We have recorded an increase of 496,800 individuals over the past year, resulting in a growth rate of 1.9%, which is the highest we have seen since 2008.”
The ABS data highlighted that the driving force behind this population surge was overseas migration. In 2022, there were 619,600 arrivals from overseas, while 232,600 individuals left the country, leading to a net increase of 387,000 people through migration.
Ms. Cho further explained, “The recovery of international student arrivals has played a significant role in driving net overseas migration to historic highs. As international borders reopen, we expect this trend to continue, as more students return to Australia. However, departures have remained relatively low due to the limited number of students who arrived during the pandemic.”
While overseas migration contributed significantly to the population growth, natural increase, which comprises the difference between births and deaths, experienced a decrease of 23.4% compared to the previous year. In 2022, there were 300,700 births and 190,900 deaths registered in the country, with deaths increasing by 11.1% and births decreasing by 4.6%. The ABS attributed this decline in natural increase to the impact of COVID-19, with the pandemic being a significant contributor to the increased number of deaths.
Examining the population growth at the state and territory level, Victoria witnessed the highest increase, with a population growth rate of 2.1%. Victoria was closely followed by Queensland, which experienced a growth rate of 2.2%. Other states and territories also saw positive growth, albeit at varying rates.
These population trends indicate Australia’s continued appeal as a destination for migrants, particularly international students. As the nation emerges from the challenges posed by the pandemic, the government and relevant authorities will need to carefully manage this growth and ensure adequate infrastructure and resources are in place to support the increasing population.