An update on Australia's future population growth and its population problems

Population projections need to be continually updated as new information becomes available. In addition, it is important to distinguish between the projected population which will be attained at a given date, such as 2041, and the ultimate level of population. For example, with an assumption of a total fertility rate of 1.865 children per woman and annual net migration of 50,000, ABS projections published in 1996 and additional projections in 1997 suggest a population of 24.5 million in 2051 and an ultimate population of more than 25 million. The analysis in this article also puts Australia’s various population problems into a proper perspective and tries to direct attention away from the unnecessary preoccupation with population decline. Copyright. Monash University and the author/s