Today I have released the Centre for Population's 2025 Population Statement which provides updated and comprehensive data on Australia's population.
This statement highlights Australia's changing demographics and will help inform our approach to building a stronger economy and lifting living standards.
The Statement confirms that net overseas migration has come in lower than previously forecast for 2024-25 and is close to half the post‑COVID peak.
Net overseas migration is expected to moderate to 260,000 in 2025-26 and decline further over the forecast period.
Population growth is expected to slow to 1.3 per cent in 2025-26 and 1.2 per cent from 2026-27 onwards, lower than the average of 1.4 per cent experienced in the 2010s.
Population ageing is a key force reshaping Australia's economy. The median age is expected to reach 40 years over the next decade and grow to 43.7 years by 2065-66.
While higher than many of our international counterparts, birth rates in Australia are expected to fall to a record low in 2025-26.
The Albanese Government is rolling out policies to ease pressure on families and make it easier for people to have children if they want to, including through the new 3 Day Guarantee for early childhood education and care and expanding and enhancing paid parental leave.
We've made a lot of progress in our economy in the past few years, including when it comes to building more homes, strengthening our migration settings, investing in skills and helping to ease the cost of living for Australians, but we recognise the job is far from over.
The Government will draw on the evidence and insights from the 2025 Population Statement to continue to build a better future for Australia.
The Statement and population projections are available on the Centre for Population website.
