Country Profile: Australia

Australia, the world's smallest continent and sixth-largest country, is renowned for its diverse landscapes ranging from arid deserts to lush forests. With a population of approximately 26.8 million, Australians are primarily concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts. The economy is a high-income, globally integrated market, heavily reliant on mining, manufacturing, and services, and has seen steady growth. Governed as a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, Australia has a rich history marked by both Indigenous heritage and European settlement.

Geography

Australia is situated in Oceania and lies between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean. It has a varied climate that is generally arid to semi-arid in the interior, temperate in the south, and tropical in the north. The country's terrain is dominated by low plateaus and deserts, with Mount Kosciuszko being the highest point at 2,228 meters. The country has no land boundaries and boasts a lengthy coastline of 25,760 km.

7,741,220 sq km: Total area, making it slightly smaller than the 48 contiguous US states.
12 nm: Territorial sea limit.
47.3%: Percentage of land used for agriculture (2022).
60,000 years: Estimated duration of Aboriginal Australian presence before European settlement.
400+: Indigenous languages spoken at the time of European contact.

People and Society

Australia's population is estimated at 26,768,598 in 2024, with a diverse ethnic makeup, including significant British, Irish, and Asian communities. The country has a high urbanization rate of 86.6% and a median age of 38.1 years. Australia recognizes multiple religions, with the largest being Roman Catholic and Protestant. The society values equity and inclusiveness, reflected in its legal framework and multicultural policies.

1.13%: Population growth rate (2024).
83.5 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024).
38.4%: Percentage of the population identifying as having no religion (2021).
4%: Proportion of the population identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (2021).

Economy

Australia's economy is characterized as a high-income and globally integrated market with a strong focus on the mining sector, manufacturing, and services. The country is a net exporter of commodities, especially to East Asian countries. Despite facing challenges such as an aging population and weak productivity growth, the economy managed a real GDP of $1.635 trillion in 2024.

4.1%: Unemployment rate (2024).
65.5%: Contribution of the services sector to GDP (2024).
51.2%: Household consumption as a share of GDP (2024).
$60,100: Real GDP per capita (2024 estimate).

Government

Australia operates as a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with Canberra as the capital. The government comprises six states and two territories, and the legal system is based on English common law. Voting is compulsory, and the current Prime Minister is Anthony Albanese since May 2022. The country has a significant international presence, participating in numerous global organizations.

18 years: Minimum voting age, with universal suffrage.
100%: Access to improved drinking water sources.
2%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024).

Military and Security

The Australian Defense Force (ADF) is composed of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with approximately 60,000 active personnel. Australia emphasizes defense partnerships, particularly with the US and the UK, and is a member of several defense treaties. The country maintains a commitment to global peacekeeping efforts and internal security.

2%: Military expenditure relative to GDP (ongoing since 2021).
30,000: Personnel deployed in UN missions since the 1990s.

Energy

Australia has a comprehensive energy sector, which is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, though there is a growing emphasis on renewable sources. The country has a high electricity access rate of 100% and continues to invest in renewable energy technologies.

64.9%: Share of fossil fuels in total installed electricity capacity (2023).
267.818 billion kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023).
149.472 billion metric tons: Proven coal reserves (2023).

Environment

Australia faces significant environmental challenges, including habitat loss, deforestation, and water scarcity. The country has implemented various international environmental agreements focused on biodiversity conservation and climate change.

86.6%: Urban population, indicating high levels of urbanization.
20: Total World Heritage Sites, showcasing its rich biodiversity and cultural history.

Transportation

Australia boasts a well-established transportation network that includes extensive railways, numerous airports, and a significant merchant marine fleet. The country takes pride in its civil aviation and freight transportation systems.

32,606 km: Total railway network (2022).
2,257: Number of airports (2025).

Communications

Australia has a robust communications infrastructure with widespread internet access, boasting a 97% internet penetration rate. The telecommunications market includes both public broadcasting and a thriving private sector.

29.1 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
9.63 million: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	26,768,598 (2024 est.)
Area	7,741,220 sq km	Total land area
GDP	$1.635 trillion	Real GDP (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	4.1%	Percentage of labor force seeking employment (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	223.158 million Btu	Total energy consumption per capita (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	12.2 births/1,000	Birth rate (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	83.5 years	Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)
Urban Population	86.6%	Urbanization rate (2023)
Military Expenditures	2% of GDP	Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2024)
Total Fertility Rate	1.73 children/woman	Total fertility rate (2024 est.)