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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) runs multiple national and local radio networks and TV stations, as well as Australia Network, a TV service that broadcasts throughout the Asia-Pacific region and is the main public broadcaster; Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), a second large public broadcaster, operates radio and TV networks broadcasting in multiple languages; several large national commercial TV networks, a large number of local commercial TV stations, and hundreds of commercial radio stations are accessible; cable and satellite systems are available (2008)

Internet country code [time series]

.au

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

17.081 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 8

Internet users [time series]

15.81 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 25

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: domestic satellite system; significant use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile telephones international: country code - 61; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Southern Cross fiber optic submarine cable provides links to New Zealand and the United States; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat, 2 Globalstar, 5 other) (2007)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

10.47 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 20

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

24.4 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 43

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry

Budget [time series]

revenues: $494.3 billion expenditures: $514.4 billion (2013 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-1.3% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

Central bank discount rate [time series]

3% (February 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 4.35% (31 December 2010 est.) note: this is the Reserve Bank of Australia's "cash rate target," or policy rate

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

6.2% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 6.98% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$44.9 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 -$57.14 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$1.506 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $1.497 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

30.3 (2008) country comparison to the world: 120 35.2 (1994)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The Australian economy has experienced continuous growth and features low unemployment, contained inflation, very low public debt, and a strong and stable financial system. By 2012, Australia had experienced more than 20 years of continued economic growth, averaging 3.5% a year. Demand for resources and energy from Asia and especially China has grown rapidly, creating a channel for resources investments and growth in commodity exports. The high Australian dollar has hurt the manufacturing sector, while the services sector is the largest part of the Australian economy, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of jobs. Australia was comparatively unaffected by the global financial crisis as the banking system has remained strong and inflation is under control. Australia has benefited from a dramatic surge in its terms of trade in recent years, stemming from rising global commodity prices. Australia is a significant exporter of natural resources, energy, and food. Australia's abundant and diverse natural resources attract high levels of foreign investment and include extensive reserves of coal, iron, copper, gold, natural gas, uranium, and renewable energy sources. A series of major investments, such as the US$40 billion Gorgon Liquid Natural Gas project, will significantly expand the resources sector. Australia is an open market with minimal restrictions on imports of goods and services. The process of opening up has increased productivity, stimulated growth, and made the economy more flexible and dynamic. Australia plays an active role in the World Trade Organization, APEC, the G20, and other trade forums. Australia has bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) with Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and the US, has a regional FTA with ASEAN and New Zealand, is negotiating agreements with China, India, Indonesia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, as well as with its Pacific neighbors and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and is also working on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement with Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US, and Vietnam.

Exchange rates [time series]

Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.031 (2013 est.) 0.9658 (2012 est.) 1.0902 (2010) 1.2822 (2009) 1.2059 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$251.7 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $257.9 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment

Exports - partners [time series]

China 29.5%, Japan 19.3%, South Korea 8%, India 4.9% (2012)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 July - 30 June

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$1.488 trillion (2013 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$998.3 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $974.2 billion (2012 est.) $939.7 billion (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 54.6% government consumption: 17.8% investment in fixed capital: 27.4% investment in inventories: 0.1% exports of goods and services: 20.9% imports of goods and services: -20.8% (2013 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 3.8% industry: 27.4% services: 68.7% (2013 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$43,000 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $42,500 (2012 est.) $41,700 (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

2.5% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 3.7% (2012 est.) 2.4% (2011 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

24.4% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 25.2% of GDP (2012 est.) 25.1% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 25.4% (1994)

Imports [time series]

$245.8 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $263 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products

Imports - partners [time series]

China 18.4%, US 11.7%, Japan 7.9%, Singapore 6%, Germany 4.6%, Thailand 4.2%, South Korea 4.1% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3.2% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Industries [time series]

mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.4% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 1.8% (2012 est.)

Labor force [time series]

12.44 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 43

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 3.6% industry: 21.1% services: 75% (2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $1.198 trillion (31 December 2011) $1.455 trillion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Public debt [time series]

32.6% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 32.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$48.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $49.15 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$1.661 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $1.648 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$440.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $426 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$661.6 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $610.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$2.222 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 $2.255 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$526.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $534.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

33.2% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Unemployment rate [time series]

5.7% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 5.2% (2012 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

392.3 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

314,100 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Crude oil - imports [time series]

475,900 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 18

Crude oil - production [time series]

519,100 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

1.433 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Electricity - consumption [time series]

213.5 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

78.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

13.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

5.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

59.13 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17

Electricity - production [time series]

225.5 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

33.39 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Natural gas - exports [time series]

30.27 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Natural gas - imports [time series]

10.92 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Natural gas - production [time series]

48.24 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

1.219 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

1.023 million bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

70,810 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

304,100 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

675,200 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 7,741,220 sq km country comparison to the world: 6 land: 7,682,300 sq km water: 58,920 sq km note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island

Climate [time series]

generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north

Coastline [time series]

25,760 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural freshwater resources

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 22.58 cu km/yr (27%/18%/55%) per capita: 1,152 cu m/yr (2010)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

27 00 S, 133 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; the largest country in Oceania, the largest country entirely in the Southern Hemisphere, and the largest country without land borders; the only continent without glaciers; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; the invigorating sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" affects the city of Perth on the west coast and is one of the most consistent winds in the world

Irrigated land [time series]

25,460 sq km (2006)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 6.16% (includes about 27 million hectares of cultivated grassland) permanent crops: 0.05% other: 93.79% (2011)

Location [time series]

Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean

Map references [time series]

Oceania

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Natural hazards [time series]

cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires volcanism: volcanic activity on Heard and McDonald Islands

Natural resources [time series]

bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, rare earth elements, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum note: Australia is the world's largest net exporter of coal accounting for 29% of global coal exports

Terrain [time series]

mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast

Total renewable water resources [time series]

492 cu km (2011)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Capital [time series]

name: Canberra geographic coordinates: 35 16 S, 149 08 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends first Sunday in April note: Australia has three time zones

Constitution [time series]

9 July 1900; effective 1 January 1901; amended several times, last in 1977; note - a referendum to amend the constitution to reflect the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Act 2013 is to be completed by the end of 2014 (2013)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia conventional short form: Australia

Dependent areas [time series]

Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Macquarie Island, Norfolk Island

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador John BERRY (since 25 September 2013) embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600 mailing address: APO AP 96549 telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600 FAX: [61] (02) 6214-5970 consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Kim Christian BEAZLEY (since 7 February 2010) chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000 FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Peter COSGROVE (since 28 March 2014) head of government: Prime Minister Anthony John "Tony" ABBOTT (since 18 September 2013); Deputy Prime Minister Warren TRUSS (since 18 September 2013) cabinet: prime minister nominates, from among members of Parliament, candidates who are subsequently sworn in by the governor general to serve as government ministers (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth or Federation Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; on the fly half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small, five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars

Government type [time series]

federal parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm

Independence [time series]

1 January 1901 (from the federation of UK colonies)

International law organization participation [time series]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

ADB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CP, EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF, SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice); note - each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court; the High Court is the final appellate court beyond the state and territory supreme courts judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70 subordinate courts: subordinate courts at the federal level: Federal Court; Federal Magistrates' Courts of Australia; Family Court; subordinate courts at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales; Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory; District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia; County Court – Victoria; Family Court – Western Australia; Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island

Legal system [time series]

common law system based on the English model

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats; 12 members from each of the six states and 2 from each of the two mainland territories; one-half of state members are elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms while all territory members are elected every three years) and the House of Representatives (150 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve terms of up to three-years; no state can have fewer than 5 representatives) elections: Senate - last held on 7 September 2013; House of Representatives - last held on 7 September 2013 (the latest a simultaneous half-Senate and House of Representative elections can be held is 30 November 2016) election results: Senate NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Liberal/National Coalition 53.45%, Australian Labor Party 46.55%; seats by party - Liberal/National Coalition 90 (Liberal 58, Liberal National 22, Nationals 9, Country Liberals 1), Australian Labor Party 55, Australian Greens Party 1, Katter's Australian Party 1, Palmer United Party 1, independents 2

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Advance Australia Fair"

National holiday [time series]

Australia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day (commemorates the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915)

National symbol(s) [time series]

Southern Cross constellation (five, seven-pointed stars); kangaroo; emu

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Australian Greens Party [Christine MILNE] Australian Labor Party [Bill SHORTEN] Country Liberal Party [Terry MILLS] Family First Party [Steve FIELDING] Katter's Australian Party [Bob KATTER] Liberal National Party of Queensland [Campbell NEWMAN] Liberal Party [Tony ABBOTT] National Party of Australia [Warren TRUSS] Palmer United Party [Clive PALMER]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

other: business groups, environmental groups, social groups, trade unions

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Introduction

Background [time series]

Prehistoric settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia at least 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession of the east coast in the name of Great Britain (all of Australia was claimed as British territory in 1829 with the creation of the colony of Western Australia). Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the Allied effort in World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has become an internationally competitive, advanced market economy due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s and its location in one of the fastest growing regions of the world economy. Long-term concerns include aging of the population, pressure on infrastructure, and environmental issues such as floods, droughts, and bushfires. Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth, making it particularly vulnerable to the challenges of climate change. Australia is home to 10 per cent of the world's biodiversity, and a great number of its flora and fauna exist nowhere else in the world. In January 2013, Australia assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2013-14 term.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 5,316,464 females age 16-49: 5,116,722 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 4,411,958 females age 16-49: 4,239,985 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 143,565 female: 135,800 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Australian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army; Royal Australian Navy (includes Naval Aviation Force); Royal Australian Air Force; Joint Operations Command (JOC) (2013)

Military expenditures [time series]

1.71% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 51 1.84% of GDP (2011) 1.71% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

17 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription; women allowed to serve in most combat roles, except the Army special forces (2013)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 18% (male 2,075,316/female 1,969,645) 15-24 years: 13.3% (male 1,534,947/female 1,457,250) 25-54 years: 41.8% (male 4,783,473/female 4,626,603) 55-64 years: 11.8% (male 1,321,246/female 1,341,329) 65 years and over: 15.1% (male 1,569,197/female 1,828,611) (2014 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

12.19 births/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

0.2% (2007) country comparison to the world: 136

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

72.3% note: percent of women aged 18-44 (2005)

Death rate [time series]

7.07 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 51 % youth dependency ratio: 28.9 % elderly dependency ratio: 22.1 % potential support ratio: 4.5 (2014 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2012 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

5.6% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 56

Ethnic groups [time series]

white 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

20,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

9% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 46

Hospital bed density [time series]

3.9 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 4.43 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 190 male: 4.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

Languages [time series]

English 76.8%, Mandarin 1.6%, Italian 1.4%, Arabic 1.3%, Greek 1.2%, Cantonese 1.2%, Vietnamese 1.1%, other 10.4%, unspecified 5% (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 82.07 years country comparison to the world: 10 male: 79.63 years female: 84.64 years (2014 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

Sydney 4.543 million; Melbourne 3.961 million; Brisbane 2.039 million; Perth 1.649 million; Adelaide 1.198 million; CANBERRA (capital) 399,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

7 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 164

Median age [time series]

total: 38.3 years male: 37.5 years female: 39 years (2014 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]

30.5 (2006 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Australian(s) adjective: Australian

Net migration rate [time series]

5.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

26.8% (2008) country comparison to the world: 44

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

3.85 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population [time series]

22,507,617 (July 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

Population growth rate [time series]

1.09% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Religions [time series]

Protestant 28.8% (Anglican 17.1%, Uniting Church 5.0%, Presbyterian and Reformed 2.8%, Baptist, 1.6%, Lutheran 1.2%, Pentecostal 1.1%), Catholic 25.3%, Eastern Orthodox 2.6%, other Christian 4.5%, Buddhist 2.5%, Muslim 2.2%, Hindu 1.3%, other 8.4%, unspecified 2.2%, none 22.3% note: percentages add up to more than 100% due to rounding (2006 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2012 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 20 years male: 19 years female: 20 years (2011)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.77 children born/woman (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 11.7% country comparison to the world: 102 male: 12.4% female: 11% (2012)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 89.2% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 1.49% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

In 2007, Australia and Timor-Leste agreed to a 50-year development zone and revenue sharing arrangement and deferred a maritime boundary; Australia asserts land and maritime claims to Antarctica; Australia's 2004 submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) extends its continental margins over 3.37 million square kilometers, expanding its seabed roughly 30 percent beyond its claimed exclusive economic zone; all borders between Indonesia and Australia have been agreed upon bilaterally, but a 1997 treaty that would settle the last of their maritime and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundary has yet to be ratified by Indonesia's legislature; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing

Illicit drugs [time series]

Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate; major consumer of cocaine and amphetamines

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 8,368 (Afghanistan) (2013)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

480 (2013) country comparison to the world: 16

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 349 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 14 1,524 to 2,437 m: 155 914 to 1,523 m: 155 under 914 m: 14 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 131 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 101 under 914 m: 14 (2013)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 41 country comparison to the world: 75 by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 7, liquefied gas 4, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 5 foreign-owned: 17 (Canada 5, Germany 2, Singapore 2, South Africa 1, UK 5, US 2) registered in other countries: 25 (Bahamas 1, Dominica 1, Fiji 2, Liberia 1, Netherlands 1, Panama 4, Singapore 12, Tonga 1, UK 1, US 1) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

condensate/gas 637 km; gas 30,054 km; liquid petroleum gas 240 km; oil 3,609 km; oil/gas/water 110 km; refined products 72 km (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Fremantle, Geelong, Gladstone, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Adelaide, Port Kembla, Sydney dry bulk cargo port(s): Dampier (iron ore), Dalrymple Bay (coal), Hay Point (coal), Port Hedland (iron ore), Port Walcott (iron ore) container port(s) (TEUs): Brisbane (1,004,983), Melbourne (2,467,967), Sydney (2,028,074)(2011) LNG terminal(s) (export): Darwin, Karratha

Railways [time series]

total: 38,445 km country comparison to the world: 7 broad gauge: 3,355 km 1.600-m gauge standard gauge: 21,674 km 1.435-m gauge (650 km electrified) narrow gauge: 9,539 km 1.067-m gauge (2,067 km electrified); 3,877 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 823,217 km country comparison to the world: 9 paved: 356,343 km unpaved: 466,874 km (2011)

Waterways [time series]

2,000 km (mainly used for recreation on Murray and Murray-Darling river systems) (2011) country comparison to the world: 43