Australia’s population rose by 94.1k (0.4%) over the December quarter 2012 to take the annual increase to 394.2k. The increase means that Australia’s population was just under 23 million at the end of 2012. Over the year to QIV 2012, the population growth rate was 1.8% – the highest since QIII 2009. Net migration continues to be the major contributor to population growth. It was 235.9k over 2012, the highest annual increase since 2009.
In brief:
Net immigration is the biggest driver of population growth. The birth rate has picked up recently.
- Australia’s population rose by 94.1k in QIV to 22,906 million. It is a solid 394.2k, or 1.8%, higher than a year ago.
- The natural increase (births less deaths) was 158.3k in 2012. There were 305.4k births and 147.1k deaths.
- Net overseas migration was 235.9k in 2012.
- Natural increase contributed 40% of the population rise over the past year and net migration contributed 60%.
- In annual growth terms, WA continued to record the fastest population growth of all States, with an increase of 3.5%.
- The resource rich state accounts for 10.8% of the total population.
- Over 2012, there were 147k residential.
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