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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
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.
Access
How to access the National Forecasting Program
Our National Forecasting Program is the backbone of all of our forecasting products and services for government and business.
Government Toolkit
Our Government Toolkit gives users access to the proprietary datasets maintained by .id through a suite of intuitive online tools.
See the National Forecasting Program in action in our Population Forecast online tool, or get in touch.
Demand Analytics Data and Services
Consulting Services
Government Toolkit
Our Government Toolkit gives users access to the proprietary datasets maintained by .id through a suite of intuitive online tools.
See the National Forecasting Program in action in our Population Forecast online tool, or get in touch.
Government Toolkit
Our Government Toolkit gives users access to the proprietary datasets maintained by .id through a suite of intuitive online tools.
See the National Forecasting Program in action in our Population Forecast online tool, or get in touch.
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.
| 2021 | 2026 | 2031 | 2036 | 2041 | 2046 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forecast Population | 2,749,365 | 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 | 1,430,968 | 1,534,710 | 1,639,245 |
| Change (five year | - | 76,411 | 103,106 | 103,593 | 103,741 | 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
Principal Consultant
Andrew Hedge
Senior Manager – Demand Generation and Acquisition
Richard Thornton
Head of Forecasting
Sally Blandy
Head of Product (Industry)
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