Australia's Population by Country of Birth, Jun 2023

Impact of COVID-19

Australia's population by country of birth

As at 30 June 2023, Australia's estimated resident population was 26.6 million people, which comprised of 18.5 million people born in Australia and 8.2 million people born overseas.

Australia's overseas-born population increased by 494,000 people in 2023.
The proportion of Australia's population born overseas increased to 30.7% in 2023 (up from 29.5% in 2022).

Graph 1.1 – Estimated resident population – proportion born overseas(a)(b)
Year	Proportion of overseas-born (%)	Number of Australian-born (M)	Number of overseas-born (M)
1891	32.4	1.80	0.86
1892	31.3	1.89	0.86
1893	30.2	1.98	0.86
1894	29.1	2.08	0.86
1895	28.1	2.18	0.86
1896	27.1	2.29	0.86
1897	26.2	2.40	0.86
1898	25.2	2.52	0.86
1899	24.3	2.65	0.86
1900	23.5	2.78	0.86
1901	22.7	2.92	0.86
1902	22.0	2.99	0.85
1903	21.4	3.06	0.84
1904	20.8	3.13	0.83
1905	20.2	3.21	0.82
1906	19.6	3.28	0.81
1907	19.1	3.36	0.80
1908	18.6	3.44	0.79
1909	18.0	3.53	0.78
1910	17.5	3.61	0.77
1911	17.0	3.70	0.76
1912	16.9	3.78	0.77
1913	16.7	3.86	0.77
1914	16.5	3.95	0.78
1915	16.4	4.03	0.79
1916	16.2	4.12	0.80
1917	16.0	4.21	0.81
1918	15.9	4.31	0.81
1919	15.7	4.40	0.82
1920	15.6	4.50	0.83
1921	15.4	4.60	0.84
1922	15.3	4.68	0.84
1923	15.1	4.77	0.85
1924	15.0	4.86	0.85
1925	14.8	4.95	0.86
1926	14.6	5.04	0.87
1927	14.5	5.13	0.87
1928	14.3	5.23	0.88
1929	14.2	5.32	0.88
1930	14.1	5.42	0.89
1931	13.9	5.52	0.89
1932	13.8	5.62	0.90
1933	13.6	5.73	0.90
1934	13.3	5.80	0.89
1935	13.0	5.87	0.88
1936	12.7	5.95	0.87
1937	12.4	6.02	0.85
1938	12.1	6.10	0.84
1939	11.8	6.18	0.83
1940	11.6	6.26	0.82
1941	11.3	6.34	0.81
1942	11.0	6.42	0.80
1943	10.8	6.50	0.79
1944	10.5	6.58	0.78
1945	10.3	6.66	0.77
1946	10.1	6.75	0.75
1947	9.8	6.84	0.74
1948	10.4	6.95	0.80
1949	10.9	7.07	0.87
1950	11.5	7.19	0.94
1951	12.2	7.32	1.02
1952	12.9	7.44	1.10
1953	13.6	7.57	1.19
1954	14.3	7.70	1.29
1955	14.7	7.84	1.35
1956	15.0	7.98	1.41
1957	15.4	8.13	1.48
1958	15.8	8.27	1.55
1959	16.1	8.42	1.62
1960	16.5	8.57	1.70
1961	16.9	8.73	1.78
1962	17.2	8.86	1.84
1963	17.5	9.00	1.91
1964	17.8	9.14	1.98
1965	18.1	9.28	2.06
1966	18.4	9.42	2.13
1967	18.8	9.57	2.21
1968	19.1	9.72	2.30
1969	19.5	9.87	2.39
1970	19.9	10.02	2.48
1971	20.2	10.18	2.58
1972	20.2	10.30	2.60
1973	20.1	10.43	2.62
1974	20.0	10.56	2.64
1975	20.0	10.69	2.67
1976	19.9	10.83	2.69
1977	20.0	10.96	2.75
1978	20.2	11.10	2.80
1979	20.3	11.24	2.86
1980	20.4	11.39	2.93
1981	20.6	11.53	2.99
1982	20.7	11.74	3.06
1983	20.8	11.96	3.14
1984	20.9	12.17	3.23
1985	21.1	12.40	3.31
1986	21.2	12.62	3.39
1987	21.5	12.76	3.50
1988	22.0	12.90	3.63
1989	22.4	13.04	3.77
1990	22.8	13.18	3.89
1991	22.9	13.32	3.97
1992	23.1	13.45	4.03
1993	23.0	13.58	4.05
1994	23.0	13.72	4.09
1995	23.1	13.85	4.15
1996	23.3	13.98	4.24
1997	23.3	14.13	4.29
1998	23.2	14.30	4.31
1999	23.1	14.47	4.35
2000	23.0	14.64	4.39
2001	23.1	14.82	4.45
2002	23.3	14.94	4.55
2003	23.6	15.07	4.66
2004	23.8	15.18	4.75
2005	24.2	15.30	4.88
2006	24.6	15.42	5.03
2007	25.1	15.59	5.23
2008	25.8	15.77	5.48
2009	26.4	15.96	5.73
2010	26.7	16.15	5.88
2011	26.9	16.32	6.02
2012	27.3	16.52	6.21
2013	27.7	16.72	6.41
2014	28.0	16.91	6.57
2015	28.3	17.09	6.73
2016	28.6	17.28	6.91
2017	29.0	17.45	7.14
2018	29.4	17.62	7.35
2019	29.8	17.79	7.55
2020	29.9	17.98	7.67
2021	29.3	18.16	7.53
2022	29.5	18.33	7.68
2023	30.7	18.47	8.18

Graph 1.1 – Estimated resident population – proportion born overseas(a)(b)

["Year","Proportion of overseas-born","Number of Australian-born","Number of overseas-born"]

[["1891","1892","1893","1894","1895","1896","1897","1898","1899","1900","1901","1902","1903","1904","1905","1906","1907","1908","1909","1910","1911","1912","1913","1914","1915","1916","1917","1918","1919","1920","1921","1922","1923","1924","1925","1926","1927","1928","1929","1930","1931","1932","1933","1934","1935","1936","1937","1938","1939","1940","1941","1942","1943","1944","1945","1946","1947","1948","1949","1950","1951","1952","1953","1954","1955","1956","1957","1958","1959","1960","1961","1962","1963","1964","1965","1966","1967","1968","1969","1970","1971","1972","1973","1974","1975","1976","1977","1978","1979","1980","1981","1982","1983","1984","1985","1986","1987","1988","1989","1990","1991","1992","1993","1994","1995","1996","1997","1998","1999","2000","2001","2002","2003","2004","2005","2006","2007","2008","2009","2010","2011","2012","2013","2014","2015","2016","2017","2018","2019","2020","2021","2022","2023"],[[32.4],[31.3],[30.2],[29.1],[28.1],[27.1],[26.2],[25.2],[24.3],[23.5],[22.7],[22],[21.4],[20.8],[20.2],[19.6],[19.1],[18.6],[18],[17.5],[17],[16.9],[16.7],[16.5],[16.4],[16.2],[16],[15.9],[15.7],[15.6],[15.4],[15.3],[15.1],[15],[14.8],[14.6],[14.5],[14.3],[14.2],[14.1],[13.9],[13.8],[13.6],[13.3],[13],[12.7],[12.4],[12.1],[11.8],[11.6],[11.3],[11],[10.8],[10.5],[10.3],[10.1],[9.8],[10.4],[10.9],[11.5],[12.2],[12.9],[13.6],[14.3],[14.7],[15],[15.4],[15.8],[16.1],[16.5],[16.9],[17.2],[17.5],[17.8],[18.1],[18.4],[18.8],[19.1],[19.5],[19.9],[20.2],[20.2],[20.1],[20],[20],[19.9],[20],[20.2],[20.3],[20.4],[20.6],[20.7],[20.8],[20.9],[21.1],[21.2],[21.5],[22],[22.4],[22.8],[22.9],[23.1],[23],[23],[23.1],[23.3],[23.3],[23.2],[23.1],[23],[23.1],[23.3],[23.6],[23.8],[24.2],[24.6],[25.1],[25.8],[26.4],[26.7],[26.9],[27.3],[27.7],[28],[28.3],[28.6],[29],[29.4],[29.8],[29.9],[29.3],[29.5],[30.7]],[[1.8],[1.89],[1.98],[2.08],[2.18],[2.29],[2.4],[2.52],[2.65],[2.78],[2.92],[2.99],[3.06],[3.13],[3.21],[3.28],[3.36],[3.44],[3.53],[3.61],[3.7],[3.78],[3.86],[3.95],[4.03],[4.12],[4.21],[4.31],[4.4],[4.5],[4.6],[4.68],[4.77],[4.86],[4.95],[5.04],[5.13],[5.23],[5.32],[5.42],[5.52],[5.62],[5.73],[5.8],[5.87],[5.95],[6.02],[6.1],[6.18],[6.26],[6.34],[6.42],[6.5],[6.58],[6.66],[6.75],[6.84],[6.95],[7.07],[7.19],[7.32],[7.44],[7.57],[7.7],[7.84],[7.98],[8.13],[8.27],[8.42],[8.57],[8.73],[8.86],[9],[9.14],[9.28],[9.42],[9.57],[9.72],[9.87],[10.02],[10.18],[10.3],[10.43],[10.56],[10.69],[10.83],[10.96],[11.1],[11.24],[11.39],[11.53],[11.74],[11.96],[12.17],[12.4],[12.62],[12.76],[12.9],[13.04],[13.18],[13.32],[13.45],[13.58],[13.72],[13.85],[13.98],[14.13],[14.3],[14.47],[14.64],[14.82],[14.94],[15.07],[15.18],[15.3],[15.42],[15.59],[15.77],[15.96],[16.15],[16.32],[16.52],[16.72],[16.91],[17.09],[17.28],[17.45],[17.62],[17.79],[17.98],[18.16],[18.33],[18.47]],[[0.86],[0.86],[0.86],[0.86],[0.86],[0.86],[0.86],[0.86],[0.86],[0.86],[0.86],[0.85],[0.84],[0.83],[0.82],[0.81],[0.8],[0.79],[0.78],[0.77],[0.76],[0.77],[0.77],[0.78],[0.79],[0.8],[0.81],[0.81],[0.82],[0.83],[0.84],[0.84],[0.85],[0.85],[0.86],[0.87],[0.87],[0.88],[0.88],[0.89],[0.89],[0.9],[0.9],[0.89],[0.88],[0.87],[0.85],[0.84],[0.83],[0.82],[0.81],[0.8],[0.79],[0.78],[0.77],[0.75],[0.74],[0.8],[0.87],[0.94],[1.02],[1.1],[1.19],[1.29],[1.35],[1.41],[1.48],[1.55],[1.62],[1.7],[1.78],[1.84],[1.91],[1.98],[2.06],[2.13],[2.21],[2.3],[2.39],[2.48],[2.58],[2.6],[2.62],[2.64],[2.67],[2.69],[2.75],[2.8],[2.86],[2.93],[2.99],[3.06],[3.14],[3.23],[3.31],[3.39],[3.5],[3.63],[3.77],[3.89],[3.97],[4.03],[4.05],[4.09],[4.15],[4.24],[4.29],[4.31],[4.35],[4.39],[4.45],[4.55],[4.66],[4.75],[4.88],[5.03],[5.23],[5.48],[5.73],[5.88],[6.02],[6.21],[6.41],[6.57],[6.73],[6.91],[7.14],[7.35],[7.55],[7.67],[7.53],[7.68],[8.18]]]

[]

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Based on estimated resident population at 30 June each year. Prior to 1986 based on census years.
Population estimates for 2023 are preliminary. See Revision status in the methodology page.
Source prior to 1986: Historical population publication - country of birth data cube.

Generally, more people migrate to, than migrate away from Australia. This flow of migrants contributes to the growth of Australia’s population as well as increasing the number of Australians born overseas.

According to the earliest population records that contain country of birth, in 1891 32% of the population was born overseas, reflecting high levels of immigration in the preceding years. The proportion fell to a low of 10% in 1947 due to lower levels of migration during World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II. The proportion then rose rapidly as a result of high levels of post-war migration. Between 1954 and 2021, there was a steady increase in Australia's overseas-born population.

In 2021, the proportion of Australia's population born overseas declined. This is attributed to the COVID-19 travel restrictions and the resulting impact on overseas migration both to and from Australia. These travel restrictions were removed in 2022, and there was a subsequent increase in people born overseas migrating to Australia, as well as an increase in people born in Australia departing to live overseas. The proportion of people born overseas had increased to 30.7% by 30 June 2023, up from 29.5% in 2022. This is the first time the percentage has exceeded 30% since 1893.

Countries where Australia's population was born

Over time, waves of migrants from different countries have arrived in Australia, influencing the diversity of Australia's population. In 2023, nearly every country from around the world was represented in Australia's population.

As at 30 June 2023, England, India, China and New Zealand were the most common countries of birth within the overseas-born population. Together, they made up over one third of Australians born overseas.

Those born in England (962,000) continued to be the largest group born overseas. However, this population has been steadily decreasing from a peak of just over one million in 2013.
Those born in India (846,000) made up the second largest group, with the population for 2023 surpassing the previous peak of 754,000 in 2022.
The third largest group was those born in China (656,000). The Chinese-born population peaked at 661,000 in 2019, before decreasing in 2020 and 2021.
Those born in New Zealand (598,000) were the fourth largest population, surpassing the previous peak from a year earlier (586,000 in 2022).

The estimated resident population at 30 June 2023 contained 18.5 million people born in Australia; an increase of 141,000 since June 2022. This change comprised of 170,000 people being added to the population from natural increase (births minus Australian-born deaths) and 29,000 being subtracted due to net overseas migration (Australian-born arrivals minus Australian-born departures).

Table 1.2 Estimated resident population by country of birth(a)(b)
	2013		2023
Country of birth	'000	%(c)	'000	%(c)
England	1012.78	4.4	961.57	3.6
India	378.48	1.6	845.80	3.2
China(d)	432.40	1.9	655.76	2.5
New Zealand	585.39	2.5	598.09	2.2
Philippines	218.87	0.9	361.86	1.4
Vietnam	219.94	1.0	298.96	1.1
South Africa	172.17	0.7	214.79	0.8
Malaysia	138.37	0.6	180.47	0.7
Nepal	34.75	0.2	179.05	0.7
Italy	200.67	0.9	158.99	0.6
Total overseas-born	6408.74	27.7	8175.64	30.7
Australian-born	16719.39	72.3	18473.24	69.3
Total population	23128.13	100	26648.88	100

Population estimates for 2023 are preliminary. See Revision status in the methodology page.
Top 10 countries of birth for Australia’s estimated resident population as at 30 June 2023 (excludes Australia).
Proportion of Australia’s total population.
Excludes SARs and Taiwan.

Graph 1.3 Estimated resident population by country of birth(a)(b)
	2013 ('000)	2018 ('000)	2023 ('000)
England	1,012.78	994.33	961.57
India	378.48	593.27	845.80
China(c)	432.40	645.12	655.76
New Zealand	585.39	577.49	598.09
Philippines	218.87	276.89	361.86
Vietnam	219.94	259.72	298.96
South Africa	172.17	189.74	214.79
Malaysia	138.37	174.47	180.47
Nepal	34.75	94.97	179.05
Italy	200.67	185.30	158.99

Graph 1.3 Estimated resident population by country of birth(a)(b)

["","2013","2018","2023"]

[["England","India","China(c)","New Zealand","Philippines","Vietnam","South Africa","Malaysia","Nepal","Italy"],[[1012.78],[378.48],[432.4],[585.39],[218.87],[219.94],[172.17],[138.37],[34.75],[200.67]],[[994.33],[593.27],[645.12],[577.49],[276.89],[259.72],[189.74],[174.47],[94.97],[185.3]],[[961.57],[845.8],[655.76],[598.09],[361.86],[298.96],[214.79],[180.47],[179.05],[158.99]]]

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Population estimates for 2023 are preliminary. See Revision status in the methodology page.
Top 10 countries of birth for Australia’s estimated resident population as at 30 June 2023 (excludes Australia).
Excludes SARs and Taiwan.

The countries of birth (excluding Australia) with the largest increases in Australia’s population between 2013 and 2023 were:

India, with an increase of 467,000 people
China, with 223,000
Nepal, with 144,000
The Philippines, with 143,000.

Graph 1.4 Estimated resident population by country of birth – largest increases since 2013(a)(b)
	2013 ('000)	2018 ('000)	2023 ('000)
India	378.48	593.27	845.80
China(c)	432.40	645.12	655.76
Nepal	34.75	94.97	179.05
Philippines	218.87	276.89	361.86
Vietnam	219.94	259.72	298.96
Pakistan	46.91	84.26	120.44
Thailand	57.41	81.56	109.98
Sri Lanka	110.67	132.18	158.29
Colombia	16.44	30.40	63.01
Brazil	20.33	47.01	66.76

Graph 1.4 Estimated resident population by country of birth – largest increases since 2013(a)(b)

["","2013","2018","2023"]

[["India","China(c)","Nepal","Philippines","Vietnam","Pakistan","Thailand","Sri Lanka","Colombia","Brazil"],[[378.48],[432.4],[34.75],[218.87],[219.94],[46.91],[57.41],[110.67],[16.44],[20.33]],[[593.27],[645.12],[94.97],[276.89],[259.72],[84.26],[81.56],[132.18],[30.4],[47.01]],[[845.8],[655.76],[179.05],[361.86],[298.96],[120.44],[109.98],[158.29],[63.01],[66.76]]]

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Population estimates for 2023 are preliminary. See Revision status in the methodology page.
Top 10 countries of birth with the largest increase in population from 30 June 2013 to 30 June 2023 (excludes Australia).
Excludes SARs and Taiwan.

State and territory

Australia's population by country of birth is measured at 30 June each year. Data is only available at the state and territory level for census years, most recently 2021.

The proportion of Australia's population born overseas nationally was 29.3% as at 30 June 2021. However, this varied across the country.

Western Australia had the highest proportion of people born overseas at 34% and Tasmania had the lowest at 16%.

Graph 2.1 Estimated resident population by state and territory – proportion born overseas(a)(b)(c)
	2001 (%)	2006 (%)	2011 (%)	2016 (%)	2021 (%)
WA	28.6	29.9	33.4	35	34.1
Vic.	24.5	26.3	28.7	30.7	31.7
NSW	24.8	26.5	28.3	30.1	31.0
ACT	22.9	23.6	26.1	28.2	29.8
SA	21.2	21.9	23.7	24.5	25.1
Qld	18.0	19.7	22.5	23.5	24.2
NT	16.1	15.7	18.9	22.6	23.9
Tas.	10.8	11.5	12.5	13.1	16.3

Graph 2.1 Estimated resident population by state and territory – proportion born overseas(a)(b)(c)

["","2001","2006","2011","2016","2021"]

[["WA","Vic.","NSW","ACT","SA","Qld","NT","Tas."],[[28.6],[24.5],[24.8],[22.9],[21.2],[18],[16.1],[10.8]],[[29.9],[26.3],[26.5],[23.6],[21.9],[19.7],[15.7],[11.5]],[[33.4],[28.7],[28.3],[26.1],[23.7],[22.5],[18.9],[12.5]],[[35],[30.7],[30.1],[28.2],[24.5],[23.5],[22.6],[13.1]],[[34.1],[31.7],[31],[29.8],[25.1],[24.2],[23.9],[16.3]]]

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Country of birth is available at the state and territory level for census years only.
Proportion of each state or territory's total population that was born overseas.
States and territories sorted from largest to smallest proportion as at 30 June 2021.

The proportion of the population born overseas increased for most states and territories between 2016 and 2021.

Tasmania had the largest increase over the five-year period, growing from 13.1% to 16.3%.
Western Australia was the only state or territory to record a decrease over this time, from 35.0% down to 34.1%.

Table 2.2 Estimated resident population by country of birth – state and territory – 2021(a)
	Overseas-born		Australian-born		Total
	'000	%(b)	'000	%(b)	'000
NSW	2,510.26	31.0	5,586.80	69.0	8,097.06
Vic.	2,072.57	31.7	4,475.25	68.3	6,547.82
Qld	1,263.64	24.2	3,952.17	75.8	5,215.81
SA	452.41	25.1	1,350.19	74.9	1,802.60
WA	938.90	34.1	1,810.47	65.9	2,749.37
Tas.	92.32	16.3	474.92	83.7	567.24
NT	59.24	23.9	188.91	76.1	248.15
ACT	134.90	29.8	317.61	70.2	452.51
Aust.(c)	7,525.87	29.3	18,159.54	70.7	25,685.41

Country of birth is available at the state and territory level for census years only.
Proportion of each state or territory's total population.
Includes Other Territories. See Classifications on the methodology page.

As at 30 June 2021, the countries of birth with the largest populations in Australia were England, India, China and New Zealand. At the state and territory level, the top countries of birth varied.

Table 2.3 Estimated resident population – top country of birth for each state and territory – 2021(a)
	Country of birth	'000	%(b)
NSW	China(c)	261.33	3.2
Vic.	India	272.25	4.2
Qld	New Zealand	229.92	4.4
SA	England	98.77	5.5
WA	England	211.73	7.7
Tas.	England	20.42	3.6
NT	Philippines	7.32	3.0
ACT	India	17.51	3.9
Aust.(d)	England	973.95	3.8

Country of birth is available at the state and territory level for census years only.
Proportion of each state or territory's total population.
Excludes SARs and Taiwan.
Includes Other Territories. See Classifications on the methodology page.

New South Wales

Graph 2.4 Estimated resident population – NSW – top 10 countries of birth(a)
	2001 ('000)	2011 ('000)	2021 ('000)
China(b)	92.42	190.00	261.33
England	248.44	248.60	240.53
India	39.26	109.10	219.23
New Zealand	117.96	128.83	128.46
Philippines	57.85	79.38	110.85
Vietnam	67.08	80.64	103.71
Nepal	1.64	17.31	69.22
Lebanon	59.81	66.45	68.78
Iraq	18.08	33.58	59.93
Korea, South	28.12	47.72	55.16

Victoria

Graph 2.5 Estimated resident population – Vic. – top 10 countries of birth(a)
	2001 ('000)	2011 ('000)	2021 ('000)
India	31.14	126.82	272.25
China(b)	38.86	112.75	182.14
England	180.31	184.62	181.44
New Zealand	60.61	89.27	108.64
Vietnam	59.49	76.23	99.35
Sri Lanka	29.86	50.45	72.10
Philippines	24.46	42.34	71.25
Italy	94.71	82.67	66.05
Malaysia	26.93	45.69	65.36
Greece	63.01	60.12	50.38

Queensland

Graph 2.6 Estimated resident population – Qld – top 10 countries of birth(a)
	2001 ('000)	2011 ('000)	2021 ('000)
New Zealand	137.05	215.62	229.92
England	158.16	194.84	201.75
India	7.24	34.93	76.87
China(b)	9.44	33.22	60.35
Philippines	16.56	33.10	54.35
South Africa	15.38	39.35	53.30
Vietnam	12.06	18.34	26.35
Scotland	22.45	25.48	24.52
USA	11.07	18.43	22.90
Germany	20.56	24.58	22.28

South Australia

Graph 2.7 Estimated resident population – SA – top 10 countries of birth(a)
	2001 ('000)	2011 ('000)	2021 ('000)
England	112.42	108.36	98.77
India	3.75	21.02	47.19
China(b)	3.82	19.34	27.47
Vietnam	10.89	13.41	18.15
Italy	25.83	22.06	17.00
Philippines	4.87	9.79	16.19
New Zealand	11.80	14.05	14.63
Scotland	15.72	14.29	12.18
Germany	13.76	12.84	9.93
Malaysia	4.50	8.04	9.51

Western Australia

Graph 2.8 Estimated resident population – WA – top 10 countries of birth(a)
	2001 ('000)	2011 ('000)	2021 ('000)
England	186.55	213.39	211.73
New Zealand	49.68	80.97	85.59
India	13.55	34.64	66.55
South Africa	16.99	39.80	49.30
Philippines	5.97	19.88	40.47
Malaysia	19.39	29.43	34.80
China(b)	5.71	20.52	31.22
Scotland	25.60	29.57	28.84
Vietnam	10.78	14.59	19.92
Ireland	9.72	17.05	19.91

Tasmania

Graph 2.9 Estimated resident population – Tas. – top 10 countries of birth(a)
	2001 ('000)	2011 ('000)	2021 ('000)
England	19.85	20.93	20.42
China(b)	0.50	2.33	7.44
India	0.59	1.66	6.53
Nepal	0.02	0.33	6.48
New Zealand	4.01	5.46	6.06
Philippines	0.86	1.41	2.59
Scotland	2.85	2.86	2.48
USA	1.10	1.72	2.34
Netherlands	2.95	2.77	2.29
South Africa	1.09	1.69	2.27

Northern Territory

Graph 2.10 Estimated resident population – NT – top 10 countries of birth(a)
	2001 ('000)	2011 ('000)	2021 ('000)
Philippines	2.13	4.43	7.32
India	0.59	2.39	5.86
England	6.62	6.35	5.79
New Zealand	4.11	4.84	4.84
Nepal	0.01	0.42	3.46
China(b)	0.41	1.13	1.98
Indonesia	0.95	1.27	1.69
Vietnam	0.66	0.82	1.59
USA	1.50	1.38	1.50
Sri Lanka	0.35	0.58	1.49

Australian Capital Territory

Graph 2.11 Estimated resident population – ACT – top 10 countries of birth(a)
	2001 ('000)	2011 ('000)	2021 ('000)
India	1.93	6.5	17.51
England	15.24	13.79	13.41
China(b)	2.20	8.03	12.72
Nepal	0.06	0.31	5.69
New Zealand	4.36	4.79	5.46
Philippines	1.55	2.67	5.16
Vietnam	2.35	3.26	4.24
USA	2.17	2.76	3.67
Sri Lanka	1.66	2.58	3.41
Pakistan	0.33	1.24	3.05

Age and sex

The age structures of the population born in Australia and those born overseas are different, with the population born overseas tending to be older. This structure is influenced by many factors including that most people migrate to Australia as adults, and that when migrants have their children in Australia they are included in the proportion born in Australia.

As at 30 June 2023, the age groups with the largest populations were:

0-4 years and 5-9 years for people born in Australia (both at 5.5% of the total population)
35-39 years for those born overseas (3.1%).

Ten years earlier, the most highly populated age groups were:

0-4 years for those born in Australia (6.3% of the total population)
30-34 years for people born overseas (2.6%).

Graph 3.1 Estimated resident population – proportion of Australia's population born in Australia and overseas by age and sex(a)(b)
Age group (years)	Aust-born males (%)	OS-born males (%)	Aust-born females (%)	OS-born females (%)
0 - 4	2.8	0.1	2.7	0.1
5 - 9	2.8	0.3	2.7	0.3
10 - 14	2.8	0.4	2.6	0.4
15 - 19	2.6	0.6	2.4	0.5
20 - 24	2.3	1.0	2.2	0.9
25 - 29	2.3	1.3	2.2	1.3
30 - 34	2.3	1.4	2.2	1.6
35 - 39	2.1	1.5	2.1	1.6
40 - 44	1.9	1.4	2.0	1.4
45 - 49	1.9	1.1	1.9	1.1
50 - 54	2.1	1.0	2.1	1.1
55 - 59	1.8	1.0	1.9	1.0
60 - 64	1.8	0.9	1.9	1.0
65 - 69	1.6	0.8	1.7	0.9
70 - 74	1.3	0.7	1.5	0.8
75 - 79	1.0	0.7	1.1	0.7
80 - 84	0.6	0.4	0.7	0.4
85 - 89	0.3	0.2	0.5	0.3
90 - 94	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.1
95 - 99	0.0	0.0	0.1	0.0
100 +	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

Graph 3.1 Estimated resident population – proportion of Australia's population born in Australia and overseas by age and sex(a)(b)

["Age group (years)","Aust-born males","OS-born males","Aust-born females","OS-born females"]

[["0 - 4","5 - 9","10 - 14","15 - 19","20 - 24","25 - 29","30 - 34","35 - 39","40 - 44","45 - 49","50 - 54","55 - 59","60 - 64","65 - 69","70 - 74","75 - 79","80 - 84","85 - 89","90 - 94","95 - 99","100 +"],[[2.8],[2.8],[2.8],[2.6],[2.3],[2.3],[2.3],[2.1],[1.9],[1.9],[2.1],[1.8],[1.8],[1.6],[1.3],[1],[0.6],[0.3],[0.1],[0],[0]],[[0.1],[0.3],[0.4],[0.6],[1],[1.3],[1.4],[1.5],[1.4],[1.1],[1],[1],[0.9],[0.8],[0.7],[0.7],[0.4],[0.2],[0.1],[0],[0]],[[2.7],[2.7],[2.6],[2.4],[2.2],[2.2],[2.2],[2.1],[2],[1.9],[2.1],[1.9],[1.9],[1.7],[1.5],[1.1],[0.7],[0.5],[0.2],[0.1],[0]],[[0.1],[0.3],[0.4],[0.5],[0.9],[1.3],[1.6],[1.6],[1.4],[1.1],[1.1],[1],[1],[0.9],[0.8],[0.7],[0.4],[0.3],[0.1],[0],[0]]]

[]

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Population estimates for 2023 are preliminary. See Revision status in the methodology page.
Australian-born and overseas-born persons as a proportion of Australia's total population as at 30 June 2023.

Median age and sex ratio

Median age is the age at which half the population is older and half is younger, and provides an indication of the overall age of the population. Comparing median age over time can identify whether a population is ageing and how fast the change is occurring.

The median age for the Australian-born population has gradually been increasing over time, from 32 years in 2003 to 35 years at 30 June 2023.

In contrast, the median age of those born overseas has fluctuated over time, peaking at a median of 46 years in 2002 and decreasing to 44 years in 2019. In 2021, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the decrease in younger people (such as international students) migrating to Australia, the median age of the overseas-born population increased to 45 years. In 2023 it decreased to 43 years, after the re-opening of international borders and associated increase in migrant arrivals.

Migrant populations from many countries that were part of the post-World War II migration streams have a high median age. At 30 June 2023, Australians born in Greece had a median age of 76 years and those born in Italy had a median age of 73 years. In contrast, the more recently arrived Nepalese-born population had a median age of 29 years in 2023.

Table 3.2 Estimated resident population by country of birth – median age and sex ratio(a)(b)
	Median age(c)			Sex ratio(d)
Country of birth	2003	2013	2023	2003	2013	2023
England	52	54	59	102	104	104
India	39	33	36	119	121	118
China(e)	41	35	39	87	81	80
New Zealand	38	39	46	105	105	103
Philippines	39	39	40	54	66	67
Vietnam	39	44	48	94	85	78
South Africa	37	40	46	99	100	98
Malaysia	39	39	43	87	88	87
Nepal	28	28	29	192	132	122
Italy	63	69	73	110	107	105
Total overseas-born	46	45	43	99	98	96
Australian-born	32	34	35	98	99	100
Total population	36	37	38	99	99	99

Population estimates for 2023 are preliminary. See Revision status in the methodology page.
Top 10 countries of birth for Australia’s estimated resident population as at 30 June 2023 (excludes Australia).
Median age is the age at which half the population is older and half is younger.
Sex ratio is the number of males per 100 females.
Excludes SARs and Taiwan.

As at 30 June 2023 (for countries of birth with a population of at least 1000), the group with the:

oldest median age was from Latvia, at 80 years
youngest median age was Qatar, at 15 years
highest sex ratio was Vanuatu, with 281 males per 100 females
lowest sex ratio was Thailand, with 44 males per 100 females.

International comparisons

In 2020, the United Nations estimated there were 280.6 million people worldwide residing outside their country of birth, 3.6% of the global population.

The USA had more foreign-born people in its population than any other country, with 50.6 million. This group made up 15.3% of its total population.

Germany was the second highest with 15.8 million people born in a different country (18.8% of its population), followed by Saudi Arabia with 13.5 million (38.6% of its population).

Australia ranked ninth with 7.7 million people (29.9% of its population in 2020).

Table 4.1 Migrant populations around the world(a)
	2010	2010	2020	2020
	Million	%(b)	Million	%(b)
USA	44.18	14.3	50.63	15.3
Germany	9.81	12.1	15.76	18.8
Saudi Arabia	8.43	30.7	13.45	38.6
Russian Federation	11.19	7.8	11.64	8.0
United Kingdom(c)	7.12	11.2	9.36	13.8
United Arab Emirates	7.32	85.6	8.72	88.1
France	7.31	11.6	8.52	13.1
Canada	6.76	19.8	8.05	21.3
Australia(d)	5.88	26.7	7.67	29.9
Spain(e)	6.28	13.4	6.84	14.6
Italy	5.79	9.8	6.39	10.6
Türkiye	1.37	1.9	6.05	7.2
Ukraine	4.82	10.5	5.00	11.4
India	5.57	0.5	4.88	0.4
Kazakhstan	3.33	20.5	3.73	19.9
Thailand	3.23	4.8	3.63	5.2
Malaysia	2.42	8.6	3.48	10.7
Jordan	2.79	38.4	3.46	33.9
Pakistan	3.94	2.2	3.28	1.5
Kuwait	1.87	62.7	3.11	72.8
World	220.98	3.2	280.60	3.6

Top 20 countries based on 2020 data, with highest number of people born outside their country of residence.
Proportion of each country's population born overseas.
Excludes Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
Data is sourced from the ABS.
Includes Ceuta and Melilla.

Source: United Nations Population Division International Migration Stock 2020

Data downloads

Notes for Excel data cubes

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Excel data cubes

Data files

1. Estimated resident population by country of birth - as at 30 June, 1996 to 2023
Download xlsx [95.49 KB]
2. Estimated resident population by country of birth, state/territory - as at 30 June, 1996 to 2021 - census years
Download xlsx [242.08 KB]
3. Estimated resident population by country of birth, median age - as at 30 June, 1996 to 2023
Download xlsx [264.34 KB]
4. Estimated resident population by country of birth, sex ratio - as at 30 June, 1996 to 2023
Download xlsx [112.81 KB]

Data Explorer datasets

Caution: Data in Data Explorer is currently released after the 11:30am release on the ABS website. Please check the reference period when using Data Explorer.

For information on Data Explorer and how it works, see the Data Explorer user guide.

Notes for Data Explorer datasets

Two datasets are available for Australia’s Population by Country of Birth in Data Explorer.

1. Estimated resident population, country of birth, age and sex — as at 30 June annually — 1996 onwards
2. Estimated resident population, country of birth, state/territory, age and sex — as at 30 June Census years only — 1996 onwards

Related ABS publications

National, state and territory population
- Includes quarterly data on net overseas migration and net interstate migration estimates.

Regional population
- Includes annual data on regional overseas migration and regional internal migration estimates.

Overseas arrivals and departures, Australia
- Monthly statistics on all international travel arriving in and departing from Australia.

Overseas migration
- Annual statistics on Australia's international immigration and emigration, by state and territory, country of birth, visa, age and sex.

Permanent migrants in Australia — 2021
- Statistics about permanent migrants who arrived in Australia between 1 January 2000 and 10 August 2021.

Temporary visa holders in Australia — 2021
- Statistics about selected types of temporary visa holders who were present in Australia on Census Night, 10 August 2021.

Migrant settlement outcomes — 2023
- Statistics on selected economic and social outcomes of permanent migrants.

Personal income in Australia — migrant content
- Regional data on the number of income earners, amounts received, and the distribution of income for the 2016-17 to 2020-21 financial years.

Jobs in Australia — migrant content
- Information about the number and nature of filled jobs, the people who hold them and their employers.

Personal income of migrants, Australia — 2016-17
- Statistics on personal income of migrants including employee income, own unincorporated business income, investment income and other income.

Migrant data matrices
- Provides users with links to available summary data on migrants from a wide range of ABS surveys and outputs.

Post release changes

17/10/2024 - A post release correction was applied to 'Other Territories' estimates contained within the Data Explorer dataset Estimated resident population, country of birth, state/territory, age and sex — as at 30 June Census years only — 1996 onwards. These 'Other Territories’ estimates incorrectly contained data for the ‘Australia’ level for 1996 to 2016, as well as no data being present for 2021. This error only affected data within the Data Explorer dataset, and not data contained in other products or publications.

APA

Citation

Australia's Population by Country of Birth

APA

Citation

Key statistics

Impact of COVID-19