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Australia

Country Factsheet

2023 population pyramid

Introduction

Background

Prehistoric settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia at least 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. All of Australia was claimed as British territory in 1829. Independence was achieved in 1901.

Geography

Area

total : 7,741,220 sq km
land: 7,682,300 sq km
water: 58,920 sq km

Climate

generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north

Natural resources

alumina, coal, iron ore, copper, lithium, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, rare earth elements, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, opals, natural gas, petroleum

People and Society

Population

total: 26,768,598

Ethnic groups

English 33%, Australian 29.9%, Irish 9.5%, Scottish 8.6%, Chinese 5.5%, Italian 4.4%, German 4%, Indian 3.1%, Australian Aboriginal 2.9%, Greek 1.7%, unspecified 4.7% (2021 est.)

Languages

English 72%, Mandarin 2.7%, Arabic 1.4%, Vietnamese 1.3%, Cantonese 1.2%, other 15.7%, unspecified 5.7% (2021 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant 18.1% (Anglican 9.8%, Uniting Church 2.6%, Presbyterian and Reformed 1.6%, Baptist 1.4%, Pentecostal 1%, other Protestant 1.7%), other Christian 3.5%, Muslim 3.2%, Hindu 2.7%, Buddhist 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3% (Eastern Orthodox 2.1%, Oriental Orthodox 0.2%), other 2.1%, none 38.4%, unspecified 7.3% (2021 est.)

Population growth rate

1.13% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type

federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Capital

name: Canberra

Executive branch

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Samantha (Sam) MOSTYN (since 1 July 2024)
head of government: Prime Minister Anthony ALBANESE (since 23 May 2022)

Legislative branch

summary: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats) and the House of Representatives (151 seats)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Kevin Michael RUDD (since 19 April 2023)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Caroline KENNEDY (since 25 July 2022)

Economy

Economic overview

highly developed, diversified, regionally and globally integrated economy; strong mining, manufacturing, and service sectors; net exporter driven by commodities to East Asian trade partners; “Future Made in Australia” program focused on green energy investments

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.584 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.537 trillion (2022 est.)
$1.475 trillion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$59,500 (2023 est.)
$59,100 (2022 est.)
$57,400 (2021 est.)

Exports

$447.508 billion (2023 est.)
$464.688 billion (2022 est.)
$389.158 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners

China 29%, Japan 19%, South Korea 10%, India 7%, Taiwan 6% (2022)

Exports - commodities

coal, iron ore, natural gas, gold, wheat (2022)

Imports

$363.573 billion (2023 est.)
$367.488 billion (2022 est.)
$299.549 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners

China 28%, US 10%, South Korea 6%, Japan 6%, Singapore 5% (2022)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, cars, garments, trucks, plastic products (2022)


Page last updated: Thursday, September 12, 2024