Aus population hits 2.5 cr, decade before projection

Sydney, August 7 

Australia’s population will hit a record 2.5 crore on Tuesday, almost a decade earlier than projected, as it attracts hundreds of thousands of migrants each year, latest government data shows.

Every minute, one person arrives to live in Australia, the data shows, underpinning the demand for everything — from homes to cars, schools and hospitals — and boosting country’s economic fortunes.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates the population will reach 26 million in three years, based on current trends. The rapid increase in migrant numbers has sparked a debate on economic and social impact of migration, given that inadequate infrastructure has resulted in clogged cities. — Reuters