{
  "id": 7951530,
  "title": "Australia's population grows by more than 390,000 people in 12 months",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/australias-population-grows-by-more-than-390-000-people-in-12-months",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T04:54:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-17/abs-population-data-march-2026/107163982"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "According to the Australia Bureau of Statistics, Australia's population grew by over 392,000 people in the past 12 months, reaching a total of 27.9 million people as of March 2026. Overseas migration accounted for nearly three-quarters of the annual increase, with net migration adding 292,100 people to the population. The natural increase - births minus deaths - contributed an additional 100,600 people. Overall, the population saw a 1.4% annual growth rate, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels after a decline in 2020. Western Australia experienced the fastest growth at 2.1%, while Tasmania had the slowest at 0.6%. The majority of immigrants settled in New South Wales, with Tasmania and the Northern Territory receiving the fewest overseas migrants.",
  "summary": "New data shows Australia's population has grown by 1.4 per cent over the past year.",
  "key_points": [
    "Australia's population increased by 392,000 people in 12 months.",
    "Net migration contributed 292,100 to population growth.",
    "Western Australia had the highest growth rate at 2.1%."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The surge in population, driven largely by overseas migration, signals a return to pre-pandemic growth patterns, with Western Australia leading the way and Tasmania lagging behind.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}