Share of population living in rural areas in Australia
Australia: Share of population living in rural areas was 17.8 in 2020. ▼ Falling
Share of population living in rural areas in Australia, 1950–2020
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of population living in rural areas in Australia is 17.8, measured in 2020. That is the lowest value across all 15 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 10.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in rural areas in Australia peaked at 34.2 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 17.8, in 2020.
That places Australia 165th out of 236 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 15 years of available data.
Share of population living in rural areas in Australia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 34.2 | — |
| 1955 | 31.9 | -6.7% |
| 1960 | 29.9 | -6.3% |
| 1965 | 28.2 | -5.7% |
| 1970 | 26.59 | -5.7% |
| 1975 | 24.82 | -6.6% |
| 1980 | 24.05 | -3.1% |
| 1985 | 23.32 | -3.0% |
| 1990 | 22.49 | -3.5% |
| 1995 | 21.56 | -4.2% |
| 2000 | 21.61 | +0.2% |
| 2005 | 20.98 | -2.9% |
| 2010 | 19.77 | -5.8% |
| 2015 | 18.71 | -5.4% |
| 2020 | 17.8 | -4.9% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 17.8 is below the median for high income countries, which is 23.76, 75% of the median. (85 countries reporting)
- Australia's 17.8 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 29.5, 60% of the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 33.05 | 31.9 | 34.2 | 2 |
| 1960s | 29.05 | 28.2 | 29.9 | 2 |
| 1970s | 25.7 | 24.82 | 26.59 | 2 |
| 1980s | 23.68 | 23.32 | 24.05 | 2 |
| 1990s | 22.02 | 21.56 | 22.49 | 2 |
| 2000s | 21.29 | 20.98 | 21.61 | 2 |
| 2010s | 19.24 | 18.71 | 19.77 | 2 |
| 2020s | 17.8 | 17.8 | 17.8 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More population data for Australia
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.5057 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.5755 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.5057 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2553 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 32,193 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8589 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.2773 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.503 (2100)
- Population density 5.61 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 2.09 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in rural areas in Australia?
- Share of population living in rural areas in Australia was 17.8 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in rural areas recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 34.2 in 1950.
- What is the lowest share of population living in rural areas recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.8 in 2020.
- How does Australia rank for share of population living in rural areas?
- Australia ranks 165th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in rural areas rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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