Population Density of Most of Australia: Extremely Low

The vast majority of Australia's landmass has a population density of less than 1 person per square kilometer (≈0.4/km² or 1/sq mi).

The "Empty" Continent

• ~85% of Australians live within 50 km of the coast.
• ~40% live in just two cities: Sydney & Melbourne.
• The interior (Outback)—~5.6 million km²—has a density of 0.01–0.1/km².
• Entire states like Western Australia (outside Perth) and Northern Territory average 0.2–0.3/km².

Why?

• Arid/semi-arid climate (70% of land).
• Ancient, nutrient-poor soils.
• No major river systems inland.
• Extreme heat, unpredictable rainfall.

Australia is one of the most urbanized countries on Earth because its interior is largely inhospitable to dense settlement.