National Forecast Program

The population forecast for Western Australia

The population and housing forecast for Western Australia

Published: August 2025
Version: 5.2.0

Read forecast analysis and insights for Western Australia from Australia's largest independent population forecasting team

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The population forecast for Western Australia

About the Western Australia State Forecasts

  • After seeing large increases in population over the COVID pandemic, strong growth continues in Western Australia through to 2046. Most of this growth is concentrated in the Perth & Peel regions. 
  • There were large increases in both Net Interstate Migration and Net Overseas Migration to Western Australia during COVID, which return closer to a long-term average over the forecast. It is noted that Western Australia typically had a more volatile NOM and NIM before 2021 due to its economic structure.  
  • Growth continues to focus on traditional greenfield areas, with there not quite being the appetite for large-scale density. This sees Perth’s Southern and Northern fringes continue to expand outwards.  

Key Considerations

  • This forecast utilises the 2022 to 2024 Regional Estimated Regional Population release in 2025 from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. 
  • We note expansion of the Metronet services to Ellenbrook, Byford, and Yanchep, and the new Thornlie-Cockburn line. 
  • Westport is only in its planning stages, and land around the Fremantle Port, once it is relocated, is not expected to be released until after the forecast period.  
  • We have considered the continuation of the North West Shelf Project, though this is not expected to increase dwelling or population demand significantly.  
Key Considerations

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Forecast results

The following forecast information presents the numbers for Western Australia.

Learn more about the different options to access these forecasts for Local Government Areas (LGAs), suburbs, custom catchments or the entire state or nation here.

202120262031203620412046
Forecast Population2,749,365 3,085,153 3,314,477 3,532,394 3,738,575 3,933,777
Change (five year)- 335,788 229,324 217,918 206,180 195,202
Average Annual Change (%)- 2.33% 1.44% 1.28% 1.14% 1.02%
Forecast Dwellings 1,147,858 1,224,269 1,327,375 1,430,9681,534,710 1,639,245
Change (five year- 76,411 103,106 103,593103,741 104,535
Average Annual Change (%)-1.30% 1.63% 1.51%1.41% 1.33%

The team

Our forecasting team

Prepared and presented by experts from Australia's largest independent population forecasting team.

Johnny Barnard

Johnny Barnard

Forecaster

Andrew Hedge

Andrew Hedge

Senior Marketing Manager

Richard Thornton

Richard Thornton

Product Manager Forecast

Sally Blandy

Sally Blandy

Head of Product (Industry)

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