Australia's Population Growth Slows as Migration Declines and Birthrate Hits Record Low

New ABS data reveals a significant drop in net overseas migration and the lowest fertility rate on record, fueling political debates ahead of the federal election.

• Australia's population grew by 552,000 people in the past financial year, reaching 27.2 million as of June 2024, with a 2.1% growth rate driven largely by migration.
• Net overseas migration fell to 445,600 for the year, a 16.9% drop compared to the previous year, marking the largest quarterly decline outside of the pandemic era.
• The country's fertility rate hit a record low of 1.49, with 289,100 births recorded over the year—a decline attributed to factors like housing affordability, economic pressures, and gender inequality.
• Western Australia led population growth among states with a 2.8% increase, while Tasmania experienced the slowest growth at 0.3%.
• The data has intensified political debates over immigration policies, with both major parties positioning migration as a key issue for the upcoming federal election.

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The Sydney Morning Herald Australian Broadcasting Corporation 9News