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According to new estimates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of India-born residents reached 971,020 as of June 30, 2025, narrowly surpassing those born in England, which stood at 970,950.
Australia has hit a major demographic milestone, with India overtaking England to become the largest source of overseas-born residents in the country for the first time on record.
According to new estimates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of India-born residents reached 971,020 as of June 30, 2025, narrowly surpassing those born in England, which stood at 970,950.
The shift marks a significant break from history. England had held the top position since at least 1901, making this the end of a trend that lasted over a century. Just a year earlier, England still maintained a clear lead, with 963,560 residents compared to 916,330 from India.
The change reflects a broader transformation in Australia’s migration patterns, with stronger links to Asia. The Indian-origin population has also recorded the fastest growth among all migrant groups over the past decade, while the number of England-born residents has begun to gradually decline.
China remains the third-largest overseas-born group with 731,540 residents, followed by New Zealand at 637,680. Other major migrant communities include those from the Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
Australia’s total population now stands at 27.6 million, of which 8.8 million people, or about 32 per cent, were born overseas. This figure is close to the country’s all-time high of 32.4 per cent recorded in 1891.
Demographic patterns also reveal an age divide. The median age of Australian-born residents is 35, while those born overseas have a higher median age of 43. The ABS noted that this figure has fluctuated over time, peaking at 46 in 2002 and rising again during the COVID-19 pandemic due to a drop in younger migrants such as international students.
At the same time, older migrant groups are shrinking. Populations born in Italy and England have seen the steepest declines since 2015, with both groups now having median ages above 60. In contrast, migrants from countries like Qatar represent some of the youngest cohorts.
Globally, Australia continues to stand out for its high share of foreign-born residents, ranking eighth worldwide. The United States remains the largest destination for migrants, followed by Germany and Saudi Arabia.
Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/
