Australia’s population increased 1.4% in past year, led by WA and increased immigration: ABS

Led by Western Australia, Australia's annual population growth rate was 1.4% for the year ending December 31, 2011, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Over the same period, Australia's population increased by 302,600 people to 22.5 million (22,485,300) people.

Net overseas migration accounted for 55% of the growth for the year ending December 2011, with the remaining 45% due to natural increase (births minus deaths).

The preliminary net overseas migration estimate for the year ending December 2011 (184,000 people) was 9% (or 15,100) higher than that for December 2010 (168,800 people).

Based on preliminary figures, there were 296,700 births registered in the year ending December 2011.

It was 2.5% (or 7,200) more than the previous year (289,500).

The number of deaths registered was 147,000, 2.5% (or 3,600) more than the previous year (143,400).

The official population estimates were derived from the 2011 Census counts and other ABS sources.

The estimates include Australian residents temporarily overseas on census night plus an estimate of people not counted on census night.

They exclude temporary overseas visitors in Australia.

Official population estimates also take into account births, deaths and migration trends.