Factsheet
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
Australia is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse countries in the world. According to the 2021 Census, almost half of all Australians were either born overseas (27.6%) or have at least one parent born overseas (48.2%). People arrive from many parts of the world for study, work, family reunion, and humanitarian reasons, creating a population with varied experiences and backgrounds. This diversity shapes Australia’s social, economic, and cultural life and contributes to the richness of communities across states and territories.
Key Figures
27.6%
of Australians were born overseas (2021 Census)
48.2%
have at least one parent born overseas (2021 Census)
23%
of the population (5.7 million people) spoke a language other than English at home in 2021
Mandarin
is the most commonly spoken language at home (other than English)
England
was the most common overseas country of birth at the last Census
Almost half of all Australians
were either born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas
Top Five Religious Affiliations in Australia
The five most commonly stated religious affiliations in Australia in 2021 (%)
References
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Cultural diversity: Census. ABS. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/cultural-diversity-census/2021
