Australian population standstill

AUSTRALIA’S population grew by just 0.3 per cent in the year to September 2021, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

ABS demography director Beidar Cho said the impact of Covid-19-related international border closures resulted in net migration losses for the sixth straight quarter and slowed Australia’s population growth.

“Australia’s population was at a near standstill through the September quarter of 2021, growing by under 0.1 per cent (12,100 people) to 25.8 million, an annual increase of 68,900 people,” Ms Cho said.

“In contrast, prior to the pandemic, Australia’s population grew by 383,000 in the year to September 2019, driven by 242,000 overseas migration gains.”

Population growth during the past 12 months was entirely attributed to natural increase (adding 136,200 people), while net overseas migration was negative (a loss of 67,300 people) over the period.