New Census analysis shows just how disruptive the COVID-19 pandemic has been to our population.
Census data spans three periods in time: Census night, one year before, and five years prior, providing a picture of how COVID influenced population migrations.
A net 59,500 people left Australian capital cities in the one year before the 2021 Census, much higher than the loss experienced between 2015 and 2016 and 2010 and 2011.
Sydney lost 0.9 per cent of its population, the highest net loss in the country, with Melbourne not far behind at 0.8 per cent.
Canberra had the largest percentage growth at 1.4 per cent.
Regional Queensland gained the most from this disruption, with more than 37.1 percent of arrivals to the region happening between 2020 and 2021 in the five years preceding the 2021 Census.
Despite the disruptions to our usual migration patterns, the megatrends of urbanisation and agglomeration are here to stay.
Looking farther back in time reveals that every Australian city had double-digit percentage population growth in the ten years prior to the 2021 Census.
Australia’s future is still one of cities that attracts both people and investment. One of the most critical responsibilities facing the country is to shape our cities for a prosperous future.
