Australia: Size and Population

Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by land area and the only nation governing an entire continent.

Geography

• Land area: 7,682,300 km² (2,966,500 sq mi)
• Comparable to: Contiguous United States (7,663,941 km²) — nearly identical size
• Coastline: 59,736 km (mainland + islands)
• EEZ: 8.2M km² (3rd largest)
• Terrain: Arid/semi-arid interior (70%), coastal fringe habitable

Population (2024 Est.)

• Total: ~26.5 million
• Density: 3.4/km² (among lowest globally)
• Growth: ~1.2%/yr (natural increase + net migration)
• Urbanization: 86%+ (one of world's most urbanized)

Major Cities (Greater Capital City Statistical Areas)

Demographic Profile

• Multicultural: 30% born overseas; top sources: UK, India, China, NZ, Philippines
• Indigenous: 3.8% (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander)
• Median age: 38.5 years
• Life expectancy: 83.5 years (F 85.4, M 81.3)

Australia combines continental scale with concentrated coastal habitation — a unique demographic geography shaping its economy, politics, and environment.