Australia’s Population Growth to Shrink in Next Decade Due to COVID-19

A general view of foot traffic on Swanston street in Melbourne, Australia, on Oct. 29, 2021. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Australia’s population growth projection for the next decade has fallen by over one million people compared to previous forecasts due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the latest annual population report, released on Jan. 6, the Australian government predicted that the total population will rise from the current 26 million to 29.9 million in 2032-2033.