Australia is a vast continent in the southern hemisphere with coastal lowlands and deserts, no land borders with other nations but situated close to Indonesia, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea.
Due to Australia’s geographical isolation from other continents, it has developed its own distinct fauna and flora. Examples of such include numerous acacia trees as well as marsupials such as the kangaroo and platypus.
Population
Australia has experienced unprecedented population growth since Captain James Cook first chartered and settled it. Today, our population increases at an approximate rate of one million every two and a half to three years due to net overseas migration (NOM) and “natural increase” (births minus deaths).
Australian society is ageing similarly to other developed nations, driven by low fertility rates and increasing life expectancies. This trend is expected to continue, with median ages increasing over time as births decline and median ages continuing their upward trajectory.
Australia’s population is highly urbanised, with almost two in five residents residing in capital cities. This trend reflects economic, lifestyle and health benefits associated with urban areas; households are becoming smaller as couples opt for couples-only families or immigrants arrive; population density varies across states and territories with Western Australia having the highest population density of 3.3 people per square kilometre.
Economy
Australia boasts a strong Western-style capitalist economy that consistently ranks high in international comparisons of national performance on measures like economic freedom, quality of life, education and healthcare provision. Australia has experienced uninterrupted economic growth for decades thanks to pro-market economic policies, large migration flows into its borders and strong trade ties with Asian markets that continue to prosper.
Singapore is an advanced nation with one of the highest per-capita Gross Domestic Products worldwide. It boasts abundant reserves of coal, iron ore, gold and natural gas as well as being an attractive tourist destination boasting beaches, rainforests and outback wilderness areas.
Local governments (called councils in Australia) rely on rates, which is a property-based tax, to fund public services such as local roads and bridges, waste collection, street cleaning services, parks maintenance and community facilities. Councils also receive funding from state and federal governments for programs like child care, maternal/infant health services, aged care programs as well as libraries and museums.
Environment
Australia is home to 40 distinct ecoregions that span its vast territory, each boasting their own distinctive environment. While generally tropical in climate, Australia can experience severe weather events like cyclones and droughts; its geographical isolation helps preserve its rich natural biodiversity such as platypuses and kangaroos that live there.
Environmental management is essential in stopping ecological decline, with habitat loss and urbanization degrading native species and ecosystems. Furthermore, invasive species and pollution present serious threats to nature’s balance.
Environmental conditions saw some improvement in 2024, particularly in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. South Australia saw its driest year on record; as a result it experienced lower state scores than national average; this was partially countered by increased rainfall in Northern Territory leading to an improved score overall. Yet concerns persist: rising sea levels and temperatures, erosion/water salinity/erodibility increases and decreasing tree canopy coverage are just some of the trends to keep an eye on.
Religion
Religion plays an integral part in Australian lives. It shapes people’s worldview and identity while impacting culture and social issues significantly.
Christian beliefs are by far the most widespread in Australia, comprising various denominations such as Catholicism and Anglican Church.
Following World War II, European immigration led to an increase in Orthodox Christian and Jewish affiliation. Subsequently, immigration from South-East Asia and the Middle East increased Buddhist and Muslim populations.
Australian citizens are free to practice whatever religion or belief system they wish. While most politicians, such as prime ministers Scott Morrison (Pentecostal), Tony Abbott (Reformed Presbyterian), Kevin Rudd (Anglican) and other top representatives are free to practice their chosen faith, most politicians including Scott Morrison, Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd – including Scott Morrison who practices Pentecostalism), Tony Abbott (Reformed Presbyterian), Kevin Rudd and several members of parliament like Labor’s Kim Beazley and Brendan Nelson as well as Family First’s Steve Fielding are Christians while Melbourne hosts several synagogues including its first Conservative congregation (Masorti).
