Australia's population is projected to reach almost 40 million by 2066 under the federal government's latest long-term economic and demographic outlook.
ABC News reported that average annual population growth is expected to slow from 1.4 per cent over the past four decades to about 0.9 per cent over the next 40 years. The projections are not forecasts of certainty and will change with migration, fertility, mortality and policy settings.
Life expectancy is projected to rise to 89.5 years for women and 86.1 years for men. The economy is expected to more than double in size, although an ageing population and changing workforce will keep pressure on government finances.
The outlook also places artificial intelligence at the centre of the productivity debate, identifying both potential economic gains and risks that require careful management. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said ahead of the report's release that AI would be a major focus of the new intergenerational assessment.
Sources: ABC News live coverage, 21 September 2026; Treasurer's press conference, 18 September 2026.
Image disclosure: The featured image is an AI-generated symbolic editorial illustration using fictional people. It is not a government chart or photograph of identifiable Australians.
