Net migration in Australia
Australia: Net migration was 137,109 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Net migration in Australia, 1960–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
Australia recorded 137,109 for net migration in 2025.
That represents a change of down 1.0% on the previous year and down 35.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Australia peaked at 275,773 in 2008 and was at its lowest, 23,833, in 1993.
That places Australia 11th out of 218 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration in Australia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 85,707 | — |
| 1961 | 64,495 | -24.7% |
| 1962 | 58,315 | -9.6% |
| 1963 | 73,237 | +25.6% |
| 1964 | 91,588 | +25.1% |
| 1965 | 118,891 | +29.8% |
| 1966 | 110,864 | -6.8% |
| 1967 | 80,904 | -27.0% |
| 1968 | 100,963 | +24.8% |
| 1969 | 108,770 | +7.7% |
| 1970 | 256,295 | +135.6% |
| 1971 | 223,991 | -12.6% |
| 1972 | 54,895 | -75.5% |
| 1973 | 62,928 | +14.6% |
| 1974 | 56,167 | -10.7% |
| 1975 | 25,336 | -54.9% |
| 1976 | 32,792 | +29.4% |
| 1977 | 44,946 | +37.1% |
| 1978 | 45,832 | +2.0% |
| 1979 | 52,137 | +13.8% |
| 1980 | 89,189 | +71.1% |
| 1981 | 121,921 | +36.7% |
| 1982 | 111,722 | -8.4% |
| 1983 | 73,251 | -34.4% |
| 1984 | 79,617 | +8.7% |
| 1985 | 98,327 | +23.5% |
| 1986 | 113,061 | +15.0% |
| 1987 | 136,421 | +20.7% |
| 1988 | 153,330 | +12.4% |
| 1989 | 144,042 | -6.1% |
| 1990 | 100,093 | -30.5% |
| 1991 | 68,847 | -31.2% |
| 1992 | 40,767 | -40.8% |
| 1993 | 23,833 | -41.5% |
| 1994 | 51,941 | +117.9% |
| 1995 | 80,456 | +54.9% |
| 1996 | 82,965 | +3.1% |
| 1997 | 67,661 | -18.4% |
| 1998 | 81,310 | +20.2% |
| 1999 | 92,900 | +14.3% |
| 2000 | 111,186 | +19.7% |
| 2001 | 117,552 | +5.7% |
| 2002 | 108,852 | -7.4% |
| 2003 | 104,437 | -4.1% |
| 2004 | 110,072 | +5.4% |
| 2005 | 131,371 | +19.4% |
| 2006 | 191,985 | +46.1% |
| 2007 | 249,873 | +30.2% |
| 2008 | 275,773 | +10.4% |
| 2009 | 235,628 | -14.6% |
| 2010 | 166,752 | -29.2% |
| 2011 | 197,657 | +18.5% |
| 2012 | 235,776 | +19.3% |
| 2013 | 215,823 | -8.5% |
| 2014 | 200,177 | -7.2% |
| 2015 | 212,350 | +6.1% |
| 2016 | 254,648 | +19.9% |
| 2017 | 255,023 | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 226,412 | -11.2% |
| 2019 | 207,142 | -8.5% |
| 2020 | 44,447 | -78.5% |
| 2021 | 116,768 | +162.7% |
| 2022 | 140,972 | +20.7% |
| 2023 | 140,232 | -0.5% |
| 2024 | 138,510 | -1.2% |
| 2025 | 137,109 | -1.0% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 137,109 is above the median for high income countries, which is 843, 162.6× the median. (85 countries reporting)
- Australia's 137,109 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is -462. (37 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration in Australia changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | +162.7% | 44,447 | 116,768 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 89,373 | 58,315 | 118,891 | 10 |
| 1970s | 85,532 | 25,336 | 256,295 | 10 |
| 1980s | 112,088 | 73,251 | 153,330 | 10 |
| 1990s | 69,077 | 23,833 | 100,093 | 10 |
| 2000s | 163,673 | 104,437 | 275,773 | 10 |
| 2010s | 217,176 | 166,752 | 255,023 | 10 |
| 2020s | 119,673 | 44,447 | 140,972 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Australia
- 8 United Arab Emirates 158,634 compare
- 9 South Africa 146,370 compare
- 10 Japan 140,579 compare
- 12 Colombia 129,139 compare
- 13 Saudi Arabia 119,738 compare
- 14 Iran 116,786 compare
More financial sector data for Australia
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 11.9 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0013 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 83.74 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate 6.56 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0009 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 61.14 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 11.9 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0013 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 83.74 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 6.56 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Australia?
- Net migration in Australia was 137,109 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 275,773 in 2008.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 23,833 in 1993.
- How does Australia rank for net migration?
- Australia ranks 11th out of 218 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 35.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 66 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens.