May 17, 2026 06:14 pm (IST)
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Indian-born population tops Australia’s foreign-born list, overtaking England after a century
A major demographic shift has emerged in Australia, with people born in India becoming the country’s largest foreign-born group, surpassing those born in England for the first time in modern records.
Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that the Indian-born population reached an estimated 971,020 as of June 2025.
This figure narrowly exceeds the English-born population, which stood at 970,950 during the same period.
Historic break from long-standing trend
The latest figures mark a significant change in Australia’s demographic history. Since 1901, England had consistently remained the largest source of foreign-born residents in the country.
The shift reflects contrasting migration trends over recent years.
The Indian-born population has recorded steady growth since 2015, while the number of English-born residents has gradually declined.
In June 2024, English-born residents were still ahead at 963,560 compared to 916,330 Indian-born residents.
The latest data confirms that this gap has now reversed.
Growth patterns across migrant communities
The ABS data also highlights the broader composition of Australia’s migrant population.
People born in China form one of the fastest-growing groups, with an estimated population of 731,540.
Migrants from New Zealand rank fourth, accounting for 2.3 percent of the country’s total population with 637,680 residents.
Other prominent migrant communities include those from the Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
Overseas-born population in Australia
Australia’s overall foreign-born population now stands at 8.8 million, representing 32 percent of the country’s estimated resident population of 27.6 million.
Globally, Australia ranks eighth in terms of the number of foreign-born residents, reflecting its long-standing position as a major destination for migrants.
Changing age profile of migrants
The ABS also provided insights into the age profile of overseas-born residents.
The median age of migrants has fluctuated over time, peaking at 46 years in 2002 before declining to 44 years in 2019.
However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a temporary increase, with the median age rising to 45 years in 2021 due to reduced inflow of younger migrants, particularly international students.
In comparison, the median age of Australian-born residents stands at 35, up from 33 in 2005.
Global migration context
On the global stage, the United States remains the largest host of international migrants, with 52.4 million foreign-born residents accounting for 15 percent of its population.
The latest Australian data highlights a continuing evolution in migration patterns, with the Indian-born community now emerging as the country’s largest overseas-born population group.
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# Australia foreign-born population
# ABS migration data 2025
# Indian diaspora Australia
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# Australia demographics
# overseas population Australia
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