Population Change in Tasmania: back to the future?
A dissection and reflection - what would Marty McFly do?
The latest ABS release of National, State and Territory population data for the year ended December 2023 reveals that Tasmania is resuming a pattern of low population growth, however the combination of the components of population change driving the change are different than in past periods of low growth. It is these patterns that are likely to continue into the future.
Tasmania recorded the highest level of net interstate migration loss for 2023 (-3,271) since 1998, offset by the State’s largest ever net overseas migration gain (5,101) and natural increase (the difference between births and deaths) which was the second lowest on record (523). The estimated resident population (ERP) grew to 574,705 at a growth rate of 0.4% for the year.
This InSummary dissects the drivers of population change for Tasmania and, in particular, the role of interstate migration in shaping Tasmania’s future population trajectory.