Australian Bureau of Statistics

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MARCH KEY FIGURES

	Population at end Mar qtr 2011	Change over previous year	Change over previous year
PRELIMINARY DATA	'000	'000	%
New South Wales	7 287.6	82.1	1.1
Victoria	5 605.6	81.6	1.5
Queensland	4 561.7	73.2	1.6
South Australia	1 654.2	13.9	0.8
Western Australia	2 331.5	51.0	2.2
Tasmania	510.2	3.2	0.6
Northern Territory	229.2	0.9	0.4
Australian Capital Territory	363.8	6.4	1.8
Australia(a)	22 546.3	312.4	1.4
(a) Includes Other Territories comprising Jervis Bay Territory, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Population growth

Population Growth Rate, Year ended current quarter

• The preliminary estimated resident population (ERP) of Australia at 31 March 2011 was 22,546,300 persons. This was an increase of 312,400 persons since 31 March 2010 and 98,000 persons since 31 December 2010.
• The increase for the year ended 31 March 2011 was the lowest recorded since the year ended 30 June 2006 (303,100 persons).
• The preliminary natural increase recorded for the year ended 31 March 2011 (145,200 persons) was 6.1%, or 9,400 persons, lower than the natural increase recorded for the year ended 31 March 2010 (154,600 persons).
• The preliminary net overseas migration recorded for the year ended 31 March 2011 (167,100 persons) was 24%, or 52,800 persons, lower than the net overseas migration recorded for the year ended 31 March 2010 (220,000 persons).

• Australia's population grew by 1.4% during the year ended 31 March 2011. The growth rate has been declining since the peak of 2.2% for the year ended 31 December 2008 and was the lowest growth rate since the year ended 30 September 2005.
• Natural increase and net overseas migration contributed 46% and 54% respectively to total population growth for the year ended 31 March 2011.
• All states and territories experienced positive population growth for the year ended 31 March 2011. Western Australia recorded the fastest growth (2.2%) and the Northern Territory the slowest (0.4%).