New population figures revealed by Australian Bureau of Statistics

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released the nation’s latest population figures which reveal the state losing the most people.

Australia’s population grew by 1.1 per cent during the year ending June 30, but people are fleeing NSW in droves, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The national population reached 25.98 million after an increase of 290,900 people.

Net interstate migration was a dismal -43,451 for NSW, while Victoria hit -17,233.

Queensland was the best performer domestically, with a net increase of 55,418 people, followed by Western Australia with 10,791.

South Australia saw a small net boost of 1,025 people, with 33,013 migrating to the state, but 29,988 leaving.

Annual population growth rate. Picture: ABS

Overall, there were 306,500 births and 182,100 deaths registered in Australia.

Natural increase was 124,400 people, a fall of 10.8 per cent from the previous year.

The decrease was driven by an increase in deaths, which hit 16,500 or 10 per cent.

There were 395,000 overseas migration arrivals and 224,100 departures.

Net overseas migration increased by 255,800 people on the previous year.

This was led by a boost in overseas migration arrivals (170.5 per cent), with departures dropping slightly (-3 per cent).

Components of quarterly population change. Picture: ABS

“Statistics … are impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting Australian government closure of the international border through most of 2020 and 2021,” the ABS said.

Every jurisdiction had positive population growth, with Queensland experiencing the highest rate of 2 per cent.

Tasmania and the Northern Territory had the smallest growth rates at 0.6 per cent.

Natural increase was the main contributor for WA.

Net interstate migration was the key factor in Queensland, the NT and the ACT.

Meanwhile, net overseas migration was the driver in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.