New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that people born in India have become Australia’s largest overseas-born population group, overtaking England for the first time since records began.
The ABS reported that Australia’s estimated resident population reached 27.6 million as of June 30 last year, with 8.83 million people born overseas.
This means around 32 per cent of the population is now overseas-born, the highest proportion since 1891, when migration surged during the late gold rush era.
Among those born overseas, 971,020 were born in India, narrowly surpassing the 970,950 people born in England.
The data also shows continued growth in migrants from China, New Zealand, and the Philippines, which remain among the top five countries of origin.
Over the past decade, Australia’s population has grown by about 3.8 million, driven largely by migration, with overseas-born residents increasing steadily since the post-war period.
Officials noted that while migration levels have risen, the median age of overseas-born residents has fallen to 43, compared with 35 for Australian-born residents.
The figures place Australia eighth globally for migrant population share, behind countries such as the United States, which has the largest number of international migrants worldwide.
Australia’s 2025–26 migration program is expected to allow 185,000 permanent migrants, with net overseas migration forecast at 260,000, down from post-pandemic peaks.
The shift in migration trends has also intensified political debate, with government and opposition leaders presenting contrasting views on immigration policy and its role in shaping modern Australia.
