Oceania

Oceania Overview

Oceania is the world’s smallest region and includes countries and territories with a wide range of fertility levels and population growth rates. It includes only three countries with a population of one million or more: Australia, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand.

Oceania’s population is projected to increase 40% by 2050—to 63 million, up from 45 million in 2023. Australia, which accounts for 60% of the region’s current population, is the source for most of this projected growth (61%). Oceania’s total fertility rate is 2.1, though it ranges greatly among countries and territories, from 1.7 in French Polynesia and 1.6 in Australia and New Zealand to 3.9 in Samoa and the Solomon Islands. The region is home to some of the world’s youngest areas and some of its oldest. In Samoa, Solomon Islands, Nauru, and Vanuatu, nearly 40% of people are under age 15. In Australia and New Zealand, 18% and 19% of the population is under age 15, respectively, and 17% are ages 65 and older.

In millions

Lifetime births per woman

Number of Internally Displaced Persons

Age distribution by sub-region

Percent change in population