By Natasha Fujimoto
REPLETE with gloriously diverse terrain and breathtaking landscapes, Australia is an ancient land now home to around 27.6 million people as at 30 June 2025 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). (population.gov.au)
Home to the world’s oldest continuous culture, Australia is today shaped by work, migration, ageing and steady population growth.
A proud nation brought together by history, shared values and an undeniably wry and somewhat irreverent sense of humour, Australia is a nation of many faces, cultures and dreams.
Taking a family snapshot of our fellow Australians, who are we today? What are the key demographics that define us as a nation right now as we sit proudly amidst a world in flux.
Harnessing the most up–to–date research across multiple key statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and other official sources, this snapshot paints a picture of the moment.
One of the most multicultural countries in the world, Australia is becoming even more diverse. Almost one in three people now living in Australia was born overseas, with 31.5 per cent of the population born outside Australia and the largest overseas–born populations from England, India, China and New Zealand. Indians recorded the largest increase among birthplace groups over the past decade. (abs.gov.au)
Migration continues to play a central role in population growth, particularly in major cities. Capital cities have added substantial numbers of new residents, driven largely by net overseas migration, while regional cities are growing at a slower pace.
While Australia’s snapshot is culturally diverse it is also ageing. More than 17 per cent of the population is aged 65 and over, a proportion that has increased significantly over the past decade and reflects broader trends of longer life expectancy and lower fertility. (aihw.gov.au) Women make up a larger share of this older age group, reflecting longer female life expectancy.
Families are also changing more slowly. Couples with children remain the most common family type but most families now have one or two children rather than large households.
Though it may not feel like it with the stark reality of the cost of living, Australians are earning more than in the past on average. According to ABS data for May 2025, median weekly earnings for all employees were $1,436, with men earning more than women. The gender pay gap for hourly earnings was 8.4 per cent on this measure, reflecting a narrowing over recent years, though significant disparities remain across occupations and employment patterns. (abs.gov.au)
Taken together, this snapshot reveals that Australia is today older, more diverse and more urban than before, shaped by migration, shifting family structures and evolving patterns of work.
