Introduction
Background
Prehistoric settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia at least 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. All of Australia was claimed as British territory in 1829. Independence was achieved in 1901.
Geography
Area
total : 7,741,220 sq km
land: 7,682,300 sq km
water: 58,920 sq km
Climate
generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north
Natural resources
alumina, coal, iron ore, copper, lithium, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, rare earth elements, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, opals, natural gas, petroleum
People and Society
Population
total: 26,768,598
Ethnic groups
English 33%, Australian 29.9%, Irish 9.5%, Scottish 8.6%, Chinese 5.5%, Italian 4.4%, German 4%, Indian 3.1%, Australian Aboriginal 2.9%, Greek 1.7%, unspecified 4.7% (2021 est.)
Languages
English 72%, Mandarin 2.7%, Arabic 1.4%, Vietnamese 1.3%, Cantonese 1.2%, other 15.7%, unspecified 5.7% (2021 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant 18.1% (Anglican 9.8%, Uniting Church 2.6%, Presbyterian and Reformed 1.6%, Baptist 1.4%, Pentecostal 1%, other Protestant 1.7%), other Christian 3.5%, Muslim 3.2%, Hindu 2.7%, Buddhist 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3% (Eastern Orthodox 2.1%, Oriental Orthodox 0.2%), other 2.1%, none 38.4%, unspecified 7.3% (2021 est.)
Population growth rate
1.13% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital
name: Canberra
Executive branch
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Samantha (Sam) MOSTYN (since 1 July 2024)
head of government: Prime Minister Anthony ALBANESE (since 23 May 2022)
Legislative branch
summary: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats) and the House of Representatives (151 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Kevin Michael RUDD (since 19 April 2023)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Caroline KENNEDY (since 25 July 2022)
Economy
Economic overview
highly developed, diversified, regionally and globally integrated economy; strong mining, manufacturing, and service sectors; net exporter driven by commodities to East Asian trade partners; “Future Made in Australia” program focused on green energy investments
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.584 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.537 trillion (2022 est.)
$1.475 trillion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$59,500 (2023 est.)
$59,100 (2022 est.)
$57,400 (2021 est.)
Exports
$447.508 billion (2023 est.)
$464.688 billion (2022 est.)
$389.158 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
China 29%, Japan 19%, South Korea 10%, India 7%, Taiwan 6% (2022)
Exports - commodities
coal, iron ore, natural gas, gold, wheat (2022)
Imports
$363.573 billion (2023 est.)
$367.488 billion (2022 est.)
$299.549 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
China 28%, US 10%, South Korea 6%, Japan 6%, Singapore 5% (2022)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, garments, trucks, plastic products (2022)
Page last updated: Thursday, September 12, 2024
