Indian-Born Community Becomes Australia’s Largest Overseas-Born Group

• Indian-born residents (971,020) are now Australia’s largest overseas-born group, surpassing England-born (970,950).

• Marks the first shift since 1901, reflecting major demographic change.

• Indian population has grown steadily since 2015; UK numbers declining.

• Australia has 8.8 million foreign-born residents (32% of 27.6 million).

• Australia ranks eighth globally for migrant population size.

  
  

For the first time in more than a century, Australia’s largest overseas-born community no longer traces its roots to England. Newly released figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveal that people born in India now represent the biggest foreign-born population in the country.

As of June 2025, the number of Indian-born residents in Australia is estimated at 971,020 — narrowly surpassing the 970,950 residents who were born in England. Just a year earlier, England still held the top position, with 963,560 UK-born residents compared to 916,330 people born in India.

The milestone reflects a significant demographic shift. While the number of England-born residents has gradually declined in recent years, Australia’s Indian-born population has expanded steadily since 2015. Historically, England had maintained its position as Australia’s largest migrant source dating back to 1901, making this transition particularly notable.

Broader Migration Trends

India’s rise to the top comes amid continued growth in Australia’s overseas-born population overall. The ABS reports that approximately 731,540 Chinese-born migrants now live in Australia, placing them among the fastest-growing migrant groups in the country.

New Zealanders rank fourth, accounting for 637,680 residents — or about 2.3 percent of Australia’s estimated population. Other prominent migrant communities include people born in the Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia, listed in descending order by size.

Altogether, Australia is home to around 8.8 million people born overseas. This group represents roughly 32 percent of the nation’s total estimated resident population, which stands at 27.6 million.

Changing Age Profile

The ABS also highlighted shifts in the age profile of migrants. The median age of overseas-born residents reached a high of 46 years in 2002 before falling to 44 by 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily altered this trend. With fewer younger migrants — particularly international students — arriving during border closures, the median age rose to 45 in 2021.

Among Australian-born residents, the median age is currently 35. That figure has gradually increased over time, up from 33 in 2005.

Australia in the Global Context

On the global stage, Australia ranks eighth in the world for the number of foreign-born residents. The United States leads the list, with 52.4 million migrants, who make up about 15 percent of its total population.

The latest figures underscore Australia’s evolving migration landscape, highlighting both its continued appeal to newcomers and the shifting patterns of global movement that are reshaping the country’s demographic profile.