Australia’s population continues to increase

Australia experienced an annual estimated population growth rate of 1.5% for the year ending September 2007, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

 The increase of 318,500 people (in the year ending September 2007) saw Australia’s population rise to 21,097,000 people.

Net overseas migration contributed 179,100 people (56%) to Australia’s growth while natural increase (the excess of births over deaths) added 139,400 (44%) to the tally. 

Nationally, Western Australia recorded the fastest population growth at 2.4%, followed by Queensland and the Northern Territory both recording a growth rate of 2.2%. 

Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory both recorded population growth at the national average of 1.5%.

New South Wales and South Australia both had population growth rates of 1.0%, followed by Tasmania at 0.8%.