Australian population could reach up to 45.9 million people by 2071

On the back of this reason, Australia’s population could reach up to 45.9 million people by 2071, new forecasts show.

Australia’s population is expected to almost double in the next five decades, risking additional pressure on the nation’s housing stock and demanding increased infrastructure investment.

Fresh data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday forecast that the nation’s population could surge by up to 45.9 million people by 2071 under its high growth projection, up from about 26.5 million people today.

However, under the ABS’ low growth scenario, Australia’s projected population will edge towards 33.4 million people in the same period.

According to the forecasts, Australia is expected to welcome up to 14.3 million migrants, with an average of 275,000 people arriving to our shores every year.

Without net overseas migration, Australia’s population would go backwards, falling to 23.9 million people in the next 48 years.

According to the most recent data, Australia’s population has soared by 563,200 people in the year to March, bolstered by the arrival of 454,000 new migrants, bringing the growth rate to 2.2 per cent.

Along with growth driven by net-overseas migration, Australians are on average expected to have less children, dragging down population growth rates in the years to come.

Australia’s natural population growth could fall by as much as 118,000 by 2071. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Australia’s natural population growth – the difference between the number of births and the number of deaths – is expected to slump from its current level of 125,000 people per year. Under a low growth scenario, this could fall to a net decrease of 118,000 by 2071, as deaths outpace births.

People aged 65 years and over will increase from 17 per cent today to a maximum of 27 per cent by 2071. Those aged 85 years and the above could rise from their current levels of 2.1 per cent to 6.4 per cent, the ABS said.

With Australians expected to live longer as they remain healthier in their old age and have fewer children, the median age is projected to jump from 38.5 years to a maximum of 47.6 years.

Under the ABS’ high growth assumptions, by 2071 the population will reach 13.8 million each in NSW and Victoria, 9.8 million in Queensland, 3.9 million in Western Australia, and 2.5 million in South Australia. The ACT’s population will be bolstered to one million, while the top end and Tasmania will have 843,000 and 441,000 people respectively.

Originally published as Australian population could reach up to 45.9 million people by 2071