Urban Population: Australia
Australia's urban population is currently 87.6% as of 2024. # Australia Urban Population Australia's urban population reached 87.
Current (2024)
87.6%
+0.1% y/y
Peak (2024)
87.6%
Low (1960)
81.6%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Australia
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Australia
Analysis# Australia Urban Population
Australia's urban population reached 87.602% in 2024, matching its all-time peak. This represents a 7.4 percentage point increase since 1960, when only 81.594% of Australians lived in urban areas. The steady upward trajectory over six decades reflects Australia's transformation into one of the world's most urbanized nations, with the vast majority of residents concentrated in major cities and metropolitan regions.
The past decade shows consistent growth with only minor fluctuations. Between 2015 and 2024, the urban population increased from 86.878% to 87.602%, averaging gains of approximately 0.08 percentage points annually. A slight dip in 2020–2021 coincided with pandemic-related mobility patterns, but urbanization quickly resumed its upward path by 2022. Current momentum suggests Australia's urban concentration will likely remain at or above 87% in the near term.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 87.6% | +0.13% |
| 2023 | 87.5% | +0.18% |
| 2022 | 87.3% | +0.11% |
| 2021 | 87.2% | -0.04% |
| 2020 | 87.3% | -0.04% |
| 2019 | 87.3% | +0.09% |
| 2018 | 87.2% | +0.11% |
| 2017 | 87.1% | +0.13% |
| 2016 | 87.0% | +0.16% |
| 2015 | 86.9% | +0.18% |
| 2014 | 86.7% | +0.17% |
| 2013 | 86.6% | +0.15% |
| 2012 | 86.4% | +0.14% |
| 2011 | 86.3% | +0.12% |
| 2010 | 86.2% | +0.11% |
| 2009 | 86.1% | +0.12% |
| 2008 | 86.0% | +0.15% |
| 2007 | 85.9% | +0.17% |
| 2006 | 85.7% | +0.15% |
| 2005 | 85.6% | +0.12% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 85.5% | +0.13% |
| 2003 | 85.4% | +0.15% |
| 2002 | 85.3% | +0.16% |
| 2001 | 85.1% | +0.05% |
| 2000 | 85.1% | -0.02% |
| 1999 | 85.1% | -0.04% |
| 1998 | 85.2% | -0.05% |
| 1997 | 85.2% | -0.05% |
| 1996 | 85.2% | -0.05% |
| 1995 | 85.3% | -0.05% |
| 1994 | 85.3% | -0.04% |
| 1993 | 85.4% | -0.03% |
| 1992 | 85.4% | -0.01% |
| 1991 | 85.4% | +0.01% |
| 1990 | 85.4% | +0.01% |
| 1989 | 85.4% | +0.02% |
| 1988 | 85.4% | +0.01% |
| 1987 | 85.4% | +0.01% |
| 1986 | 85.4% | -0.03% |
| 1985 | 85.4% | -0.08% |
| 1984 | 85.4% | -0.10% |
| 1983 | 85.5% | -0.11% |
| 1982 | 85.6% | -0.09% |
| 1981 | 85.7% | -0.08% |
| 1980 | 85.8% | -0.09% |
| 1979 | 85.9% | -0.08% |
| 1978 | 85.9% | -0.06% |
| 1977 | 86.0% | -0.02% |
| 1976 | 86.0% | +0.02% |
| 1975 | 86.0% | +0.07% |
| 1974 | 85.9% | +0.11% |
| 1973 | 85.8% | +0.14% |
| 1972 | 85.7% | +0.16% |
| 1971 | 85.6% | +0.33% |
| 1970 | 85.3% | +0.58% |
| 1969 | 84.8% | +0.69% |
| 1968 | 84.2% | +0.67% |
| 1967 | 83.6% | +0.52% |
| 1966 | 83.2% | +0.35% |
| 1965 | 82.9% | +0.29% |
| 1964 | 82.7% | +0.27% |
| 1963 | 82.5% | +0.28% |
| 1962 | 82.2% | +0.35% |
| 1961 | 81.9% | +0.42% |
| 1960 | 81.6% | — |
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