People born in India have become the largest overseas-born population in Australia for the first time, narrowly overtaking those born in England, according to figures released on April 29 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The ABS estimates 971,020 Indian-born residents were living in Australia as at June 30, 2025, compared with 970,950 people born in England.
A year earlier, England retained a clear lead, with 963,560 residents compared with 916,330 Indian-born people. The shift reflects sustained growth in migration from India alongside a gradual decline in the number of England-born residents.
The data shows the Indian-born population has recorded the largest increase since 2015, rising by more than 522,000 over the decade. By contrast, the number of people born in England has fallen over the same period, down by around 36,000.
ABS historical records indicate England had consistently been the largest overseas-born group in Australia since at least 1901. That pattern has now changed, with India taking the top position after several years of steady growth.
China remains the third largest overseas-born group, with an estimated 731,540 residents, followed by New Zealand at 637,680. Other large migrant communities include those from the Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
Australia’s total population was estimated at 27.6 million in mid-2025, including 18.8 million people born in the country and 8.8 million born overseas. Overseas-born residents accounted for about 32 per cent of the population, approaching the historical peak of 32.4 per cent recorded in 1891.
Over the past two decades, the overseas-born population has grown at an average annual rate of 3.0 per cent, compared with 1.0 per cent for those born in Australia. This faster growth has driven the rising share of migrants in the overall population.
“The median age of those born overseas has fluctuated over time, peaking at a median of 46 years in 2002 and decreasing to 44 years in 2019,” the ABS said in its release on Wednesday.
“In 2021, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the decrease in younger people (such as international students) migrating to Australia, the median age of the overseas-born population increased to 45 years.”
China remains the third largest overseas-born group, with an estimated 731,540 residents, followed by New Zealand at 637,680. Other large migrant communities include those from the Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Malaysia
By 2025, the median age for overseas-born residents stood at 43, slightly lower than 46 in 2005. The median age for Australian-born residents was 35, up from 33 two decades earlier.
The ABS said populations born in Italy and England have recorded the largest declines since 2015, with both groups now having median ages above 60. This reflects post-war migration patterns, when large numbers arrived from Europe and have since aged.
Migration trends shifted during the pandemic, when travel restrictions reduced overseas arrivals and temporarily lowered the share of migrants in the population. Since restrictions eased in 2022, migration levels have increased again, pushing the overseas-born share back above 30 per cent.
Australia ranks eighth globally for the number of overseas-born residents. The United States remains the largest host country, with 52.4 million migrants making up 15 per cent of its population. Germany follows with 16.8 million migrants, or 19.8 per cent of its population, while Saudi Arabia ranks third with 13.7 million migrants, accounting for 31.5 per cent.
New Zealand-born residents remain the fourth largest overseas-born group in Australia, representing 2.3 per cent of the population.
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