Australia vs New Zealand: Population Comparison 2025
ANZAC demographics. Similar cultures, different scales and immigration.
Australia
New Zealand
Population Pyramids Comparison
Total Population
Australia
27.0M
New Zealand
5.3M
Youth (0-14)
Australia
17.7%
New Zealand
17.9%
Elderly (65+)
Australia
18.1%
New Zealand
17.6%
Demographic Analysis: Australia vs New Zealand
In 2025, Australia has a population of 27M, while New Zealand has 5M. This represents a difference of 22M, with Australia having 5.1 times the population of the other. Australia ranks #55 globally by population size, while New Zealand ranks #124.
The median age reveals significant demographic differences: Australia has a median age of 39.3 years, compared to 38.8 years in New Zealand. This 0.5-year difference indicates that Australia has a significantly older population, with important implications for workforce dynamics, healthcare needs, and economic development. The dependency ratio in Australia is 55.7%, while in New Zealand it is 55.0%, showing the relative burden of non-working age populations on the workforce.
Gender balance differs between the two countries: Australia has a sex ratio of 98.50 males per female, while New Zealand has 98.83. New Zealand shows a higher proportion of males, which can affect marriage markets, labor force composition, and social dynamics. These ratios reflect various factors including sex-selective practices, differential mortality rates, and migration patterns.
Comprehensive Demographic Comparison 2025
| Indicator | Australia | New Zealand | Difference / Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population Metrics | |||
| Total Population (2025) | 27M | 5M | 5.1x larger |
| World Population Ranking | #55 | #124 | 69 places apart |
| Population Growth Rate (5-year) | +0.94% | +0.71% | 0.23pp difference |
| Projected Growth (2025-2050) | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00pp difference |
| Age Structure | |||
| Median Age | 39.3 years | 38.8 years | 0.5 years older |
| Youth (0-14) Population | 17.7% | 17.9% | 0.2pp difference |
| Working Age (15-64) Population | 64.2% | 64.5% | 0.3pp difference |
| Elderly (65+) Population | 18.1% | 17.6% | 0.5pp difference |
| Youth Bulge (15-29) | 18.9% | 19.4% | 0.5pp difference |
| Prime Workforce (25-54) | 40.5% | 39.6% | 1.0pp difference |
| Demographic Indicators | |||
| Total Dependency Ratio | 55.7% | 55.0% | 0.7pp difference |
| Child Dependency Ratio | 27.5% | 27.7% | 0.2pp difference |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 28.2% | 27.3% | 0.9pp difference |
| Sex Ratio (males per 100 females) | 98.5 | 98.8 | 0.3 difference |
| Total Fertility Rate | 1.50 children/woman | 1.56 children/woman | 0.06 difference |
| Estimated Birth Rate | 11.5 per 1,000 | 11.4 per 1,000 | 0.1 difference |
| Aging Index (65+/0-14) | 102.3% | 98.5% | 3.8pp difference |
| Population Pyramid Type | constrictive | constrictive | Same type |
📊 Understanding the Population Difference Chart
This visualization shows where and by how much the populations differ between Australia and New Zealand for each age group, split by gender:
Left Side (Males)
Blue = Australia has more males
Green = New Zealand has more males
Right Side (Females)
Pink = Australia has more females
Orange = New Zealand has more females
💡 How to Read: Each age group shows up to 2 bars - one on the left (male difference) and one on the right (female difference). The bar's color tells you which country has more people, and the bar's length shows by how much. For example, if you see a green bar on the left, it means New Zealand has more males in that age group.
Notable Differences (>20% variance):
Population Difference
21.7M
Australia larger
Growth Since 1950
Australia
+229.9%
New Zealand
+174.8%
Population Ratio
1 : 0.19
Australia : New Zealand
| Metric | Australia | New Zealand | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 27.0M | 5.3M | +413.6% |
| Median Age | 39.3 years | 38.8 years | +0.5 |
| Youth Population (0-14) | 4.8M 17.7% | 938.9K 17.9% | +407.9% |
| Working Age (15-64) | 17.3M 64.2% | 3.4M 64.5% | +411.3% |
| Elderly Population (65+) | 4.9M 18.1% | 924.8K 17.6% | +427.7% |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 55.7 per 100 | 55.0 per 100 | +0.7 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 27.5 per 100 | 27.7 per 100 | -0.2 |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 28.2 per 100 | 27.3 per 100 | +0.9 |
| Sex Ratio | 98.5 M/100F | 98.8 M/100F | -0.3 |
| Population Structure Type | Constrictive | Constrictive | Same |
Total Population
Australia
27.0M
New Zealand
5.3M
Median Age
Australia
39.3 years
New Zealand
38.8 years
Youth Population (0-14)
Australia
4.8M
17.7%
New Zealand
938.9K
17.9%
Working Age (15-64)
Australia
17.3M
64.2%
New Zealand
3.4M
64.5%
Elderly Population (65+)
Australia
4.9M
18.1%
New Zealand
924.8K
17.6%
Total Dependency Ratio
Australia
55.7 per 100
New Zealand
55.0 per 100
Youth Dependency Ratio
Australia
27.5 per 100
New Zealand
27.7 per 100
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Australia
28.2 per 100
New Zealand
27.3 per 100
Sex Ratio
Australia
98.5 M/100F
New Zealand
98.8 M/100F
Note: Dependency ratios represent the number of dependents (youth + elderly) per 100 working-age individuals. Higher ratios indicate greater economic burden on the working population.
Note: The replacement fertility rate of 2.1 is the level at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next.Both countries are experiencing demographic transitions as they develop economically. Countries below 2.1 face potential population decline without immigration, while those above 2.1 continue growing naturally.
Historic Milestone: 2023
New Zealand became the world's most populous country, ending Australia's centuries-long reign