Australia's Population by Country of Birth

Latest release

Statistics on Australia's estimated resident population by country of birth.

Reference period
Jun 2023

Key statistics

  • At 30 June 2023, Australia’s population included 8.2 million people who were born overseas
  • The proportion of Australia's population born outside Australia was 30.7% 
  • England, India, China and New Zealand were the countries of birth with the largest populations
  • Those born in India recorded the largest increase since 2013

Impact of COVID-19

Many of the changes observed in the recent data in this release are attributable to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Australian Government introduced travel restrictions on those travelling to or from Australia in March 2020, which were gradually lifted from 1 November 2021. Australian borders were reopened to most travellers from 21 February 2022.

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).
  1. Based on estimated resident population at 30 June each year. Prior to 1986 based on census years.
  2. 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)
England1012.784.4961.573.6
India378.481.6845.803.2
China(d)432.401.9655.762.5
New Zealand585.392.5598.092.2
Philippines218.870.9361.861.4
Vietnam219.941.0298.961.1
South Africa172.170.7214.790.8
Malaysia138.370.6180.470.7
Nepal34.750.2179.050.7
Italy200.670.9158.990.6
Total overseas-born6408.7427.78175.6430.7
Australian-born16719.3972.318473.2469.3
Total population23128.1310026648.88100
  1. Population estimates for 2023 are preliminary. See Revision status in the methodology page.
  2. Top 10 countries of birth for Australia’s estimated resident population as at 30 June 2023 (excludes Australia).
  3. Proportion of Australia’s total population.
  4. Excludes SARs and Taiwan.
  1. Population estimates for 2023 are preliminary. See Revision status in the methodology page.
  2. Top 10 countries of birth for Australia’s estimated resident population as at 30 June 2023 (excludes Australia).
  3. 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.
  1. Population estimates for 2023 are preliminary. See Revision status in the methodology page.
  2. Top 10 countries of birth with the largest increase in population from 30 June 2013 to 30 June 2023 (excludes Australia).
  3. 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%.

  1. Country of birth is available at the state and territory level for census years only.
  2. Proportion of each state or territory's total population that was born overseas.
  3. 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-bornAustralian-bornTotal
 '000%(b)'000%(b)'000
NSW2,510.2631.05,586.8069.08,097.06
Vic.2,072.5731.74,475.2568.36,547.82
Qld1,263.6424.23,952.1775.85,215.81
SA452.4125.11,350.1974.91,802.60
WA938.9034.11,810.4765.92,749.37
Tas.92.3216.3474.9283.7567.24
NT59.2423.9188.9176.1248.15
ACT134.9029.8317.6170.2452.51
Aust.(c)7,525.8729.318,159.5470.725,685.41
  1. Country of birth is available at the state and territory level for census years only.
  2. Proportion of each state or territory's total population. 
  3. 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)
NSWChina(c)261.333.2
Vic.India272.254.2
QldNew Zealand229.924.4
SAEngland98.775.5
WAEngland211.737.7
Tas.England20.423.6
NTPhilippines7.323.0
ACTIndia17.513.9
Aust.(d)England973.953.8
  1. Country of birth is available at the state and territory level for census years only.
  2. Proportion of each state or territory's total population. 
  3. Excludes SARs and Taiwan.
  4. Includes Other Territories. See Classifications on the methodology page.

New South Wales

  1. Top 10 countries of birth for residents of New South Wales as at 30 June 2021 (excludes Australia).
  2. Excludes SARs and Taiwan.

Victoria

  1. Top 10 countries of birth for residents of Victoria as at 30 June 2021 (excludes Australia).
  2. Excludes SARs and Taiwan.

Queensland

  1. Top 10 countries of birth for residents of Queensland as at 30 June 2021 (excludes Australia).
  2. Excludes SARs and Taiwan.

South Australia

  1. Top 10 countries of birth for residents of South Australia as at 30 June 2021 (excludes Australia).
  2. Excludes SARs and Taiwan.

Western Australia

  1. Top 10 countries of birth for residents of Western Australia as at 30 June 2021 (excludes Australia).
  2. Excludes SARs and Taiwan.

Tasmania

  1. Top 10 countries of birth for residents of Tasmania as at 30 June 2021 (excludes Australia).
  2. Excludes SARs and Taiwan.

Northern Territory

  1. Top 10 countries of birth for residents of the Northern Territory as at 30 June 2021 (excludes Australia).
  2. Excludes SARs and Taiwan.

Australian Capital Territory

  1. Top 10 countries of birth for residents of the Australian Capital Territory as at 30 June 2021 (excludes Australia).
  2. Excludes SARs and Taiwan.

​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%).
  1. Population estimates for 2023 are preliminary. See Revision status in the methodology page.
  2. 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 birth200320132023 200320132023
England525459 102104104
India393336 119121118
China(e)413539 878180
New Zealand383946 105105103
Philippines393940 546667
Vietnam394448 948578
South Africa374046 9910098
Malaysia393943 878887
Nepal282829 192132122
Italy636973 110107105
Total overseas-born464543 999896
Australian-born323435 9899100
Total population363738 999999
  1. Population estimates for 2023 are preliminary. See Revision status in the methodology page.
  2. Top 10 countries of birth for Australia’s estimated resident population as at 30 June 2023 (excludes Australia).
  3. Median age is the age at which half the population is older and half is younger.
  4. Sex ratio is the number of males per 100 females.
  5. 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)
 2010201020202020
 Million%(b)Million%(b)
USA44.1814.350.6315.3
Germany9.8112.115.7618.8
Saudi Arabia8.4330.713.4538.6
Russian Federation11.197.811.648.0
United Kingdom(c)7.1211.29.3613.8
United Arab Emirates7.3285.68.7288.1
France7.3111.68.5213.1
Canada6.7619.88.0521.3
Australia(d)5.8826.77.6729.9
Spain(e)6.2813.46.8414.6
Italy5.799.86.3910.6
Türkiye1.371.96.057.2
Ukraine4.8210.55.0011.4
India5.570.54.880.4
Kazakhstan3.3320.53.7319.9
Thailand3.234.83.635.2
Malaysia2.428.63.4810.7
Jordan2.7938.43.4633.9
Pakistan3.942.23.281.5
Kuwait1.8762.73.1172.8
World220.983.2280.603.6
  1. Top 20 countries based on 2020 data, with highest number of people born outside their country of residence.
  2. Proportion of each country's population born overseas.
  3. Excludes Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
  4. Data is sourced from the ABS.
  5. Includes Ceuta and Melilla.

 Source: United Nations Population Division International Migration Stock 2020

Data downloads

Notes for Excel data cubes

  1. ERP by country of birth is final up to 2022 and preliminary up to 30 June 2023. It may differ to previously published data. See Revision status in the methodology page.
  2. Country of birth population estimates by state and territory are only available for census years, most recently 2021.
  3. The median age is the age at which half the population is older and half is younger. It has not been calculated for those countries of birth with a population of less than 100 persons.
  4. Sex ratio is the number of males per 100 females. It has not been calculated for those countries of birth with a population of less than 100 persons.
  5. Country classification and codes are from the: Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC), 2016 (cat. no. 1269.0).
  6. The ABS has identified an unrealistically high number of deaths from 2012 to 2014 being attributed to persons born in Isle of Man. For the Australian population born in Isle of Man, this has resulted in an underestimate of ERP for the period 2012 to 2015.
  7. From 2016, Norfolk Island has been included in Australia's population following the Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment Act 2015. For 2016, the estimate includes those who were counted in the Australian 2016 Census of Population and Housing on the 9 August and then backdated to the 30 June. For more information see the Feature Article: Final rebasing of Australia's population estimates using the 2016 Census.
  8. Estimates of population counts in the data cubes have been rounded to the nearest 10 to maintain confidentiality. Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of component items and totals. All calculations and analysis are based on un-rounded data. Calculations made on rounded data may differ to those published.

Excel data cubes

Data files

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

  1. ERP by country of birth is final up to 2022 and preliminary up to 30 June 2023. It may differ to previously published data. See Revision status in the methodology page.
  2. Country of birth population estimates by state and territory are only available for census years, most recently 2021.
  3. Country classification and codes are from the: Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC), 2016 (cat. no. 1269.0).
  4. The ABS has identified an unrealistically high number of deaths from 2012 to 2014 being attributed to persons born in Isle of Man. For the Australian population born in Isle of Man, this has resulted in an underestimate of ERP for the period 2012 to 2015.
  5. From 2016, Norfolk Island has been included in Australia's population following the Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment Act 2015. For 2016, the estimate includes those who were counted in the Australian 2016 Census of Population and Housing on the 9 August and then backdated to the 30 June. For more information see the Feature Article: Final rebasing of Australia's population estimates using the 2016 Census.
  6. Estimates of population counts in the datasets have been rounded to the nearest 10 to maintain confidentiality. Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of component items and totals. All calculations and analysis are based on un-rounded data. Calculations made on rounded data may differ to those published.

Related ABS publications

National, state and territory population
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Regional population
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Overseas arrivals and departures, Australia
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Overseas migration
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Permanent migrants in Australia — 2021
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Temporary visa holders in Australia — 2021
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Migrant settlement outcomes — 2023
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Personal income in Australia — migrant content
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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.

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