WA the fastest growing state or territory in Australia, as population tips over three million
The population of Western Australia has officially tipped over three million people, with the state having the fastest growth rate of anywhere in the country last year.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has put Australia's population at 27,400,013 as of the end of 2024, with 445,900 people added to the tally in the year.
The ABS releases population data about six months behind, with the latest set of numbers showing the annual natural increase — considering births and deaths — was 105,200 and net overseas migration was 340,800.
There were a total of 292,400 births in Australia in 2024, an increase of 2.6 per cent on the previous year.
That was offset by 187,300 deaths, an increase of 3 per cent on 2023.
The ABS said all states and territories had positive population growth over 2024.
WA had the fastest rate of growth at 2.4 per cent and recorded a major milestone, with 3,008,697 people now living in the west.
Tasmania posted the slowest growth rate, although it still recorded an incremental uptick in population.
The island state added just 1,600 people to its population, mainly through net overseas migration, while 2,447 moved away from Tasmania to elsewhere.
The ABS noted net overseas migration was the "major contributor" to change in all states and territories, with most people moving to New South Wales (106,730) and Victoria (100,503).
There was also a significant amount of internal migration between the states and territories, with Queensland adding another 25,940 people via net interstate movements.
More people moved away from New South Wales in 2024 than anywhere else, with the state losing 28,118 people to other places.
The data estimates resident population based on all people who usually live in Australia, regardless of nationality, citizenship or visa status.
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