By Matt Wade – SMH
Australia’s official population clock normally doesn’t get much attention as it quietly adds more than 40 people each hour and over 1000 each day.
But late on Tuesday night that counter will reveal an historic milestone – the population will hit 25 million, having doubled since 1970.
We won’t know for sure who the 25 millionth Aussie will be. But it is more likely to be an overseas migrant than a newborn.
Last year 62 per cent of Australia’s overall population increase of 388,000 was due to net overseas migration while 38 per cent was due to natural increase (births minus deaths).
On current trends, Australia’s population is set to reach 26 million by late 2020 or early 2021, and top the 30 million mark by 2030.
