Tasmania’s population growth slowest in nation

The equivalent of a busload of residents are leaving Tasmania each day for interstate, according to the latest figures.

Large crowd of people.

Tasmania has recorded the slowest population growth in the nation as the equivalent of a busload of residents leaves each day for interstate.

The state’s population grew by just 0.3 per cent to add 1600 residents in the year to June 30, Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released on Thursday show.

National population grew by 2.1 per cent and Western Australia was the fastest-growing state with a bumper 2.8 per cent population growth.

Tasmania’s estimated resident population declined by 0.02 per cent in the June quarter, by 56 people to 575,366, the figures show.

The ABS figures show the state lost a net 466 people to destinations interstate in the June quarter, but picked up a gain of 366 people thanks to overseas migration.

An estimated 3,226 people moved from interstate to Tasmania in the quarter, while 3,692 moved interstate, the eight consecutive quarter of negative net interstate migration and a net loss of around 40 people a day.

And the state recorded a natural increase – births minus deaths — of just 61 people in the June quarter.

A decade ago the figure was 250, with some quarters recording a surplus of more than 500.

Luke Edmunds Labor member for Pembroke. TT-Line Spirits Project inquiry at parliament house Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Shadow Minister for Finance Luke Edmunds said the figures were concerning.

“The latest population data showed that Tasmania’s population growth is still the lowest in the nation,” he said.

“It’s now more than two years since more people were moving to Tasmania than leaving.

“Weak population growth driven by the worst net migration levels we’ve seen in decades is a huge weakness for the Tasmanian economy.

“Data release after data release is showing that Jeremy Rockliff’s minority government is bad for Tasmania.”

Also on Thursday, the ABS released labour force figures which showed national unemployment remained steady at 4.0 per cent in trend terms and 4.1 per cent in Tasmania.

It has been either 4.1 per cent or 4.2 per cent cent every month since January 2022.

Treasurer Guy Barnett. Picture: Linda Higginson

Treasurer Guy Barnett said the state’s historic run of low unemployment was continuing.

“The latest figures show approximately 279,800 Tasmanians are in jobs, that’s nearly 45,000 more than when we came to government in 2014,” he said.

“As we approach the end of the year, the resilience of our economy is continuing to benefit Tasmanians.

“Tassie posted record retail spending in October, we have the highest wage growth in the nation and as a result there is underlying confidence in our economy.

“We have seen a number of significant and positive signs from the ABS in recent months demonstrating we are heading in the right direction.”

Originally published as Tasmania’s population growth slowest in nation