Australia’s Population Hits 27 Million, Almost 20 Years Ahead of Forecast

The milestone was reached on the afternoon of Jan. 24.

Guests at the "Open For Lunch" event in Sydney, Australia on Dec. 2, 2022. Jenny Evans/Getty Images

Australia’s population has passed the 27 million mark, with the official Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) population clock ticking over at around 3:45 p.m. AEST on Jan. 24.

The number has exceeded the predictions made by the 2002 Treasury’s Intergenerational Report, which forecasted Australia’s population to reach 25.3 million by 2042. The report also forecasted Australia’s population to reach 25 million by 2037.