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 populations of one million or more: Australia, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand.

Oceania’s population is projected to increase 43% by 2050—to 62 million, up from 43 million in 2021. Australia, which accounts for 59% of the region’s current population, is the source for most of this projected growth (57%). Oceania’s total fertility rate is 2.2, though it ranges greatly among countries and territories, from 1.6 in Australia and New Zealand to 4.0 in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu and 4.1 in Samoa and Solomon Islands. The region is home to some of the world’s youngest areas and some of its oldest. In Solomon Islands and Nauru, nearly 40% of people are under age 15. In Australia and New Zealand, 19% of the population is under age 15 and 16% are ages 65 and older.

In millions

Lifetime births per woman

Percent of all births to mothers ages 35+

Age distribution by region

Percent change in population