Australia's population to reach 39 million by 2066 as growth slows
Australia's population growth rate is slowing from 1.4% to 0.9% annually, driven mainly by falling fertility rates.
Australia's population will grow from about 27.9 million today to 39.3 million by 2065-66, the Intergenerational Report released Monday shows. Australia's population growth is slowing significantly.
Over the last 40 years, the growth rate averaged 1.4% a year. Over the next 40 years, it is expected to drop to 0.9% a year.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the slowdown comes from people living longer, having fewer kids, and having children later in life. Fertility rates are falling faster than the government predicted just three years ago.
Almost half the decline is due to fewer people having three or more children.
- 39.3 million
- Projected population 2065-66
- 0.9% annually
- New growth rate
- 1.4% annually over past 40 years
- Prior growth rate
- Fewer people having 3+ children
- Cause of fertility decline
Why it mattersThe slower growth rate will influence Australia's planning for housing, workers and services in the decades ahead.
