South Australia: population, jobs, health, schools, living costs and state government finances
South Australia is a state of Australia, number 5 of 8 by population. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates the resident population of South Australia at 1,902,665 people on 30 June 2025, which is 6.9% of Australia (4th smallest of 8 states and territories by population).
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in South Australia: The economy of South Australia produced gross state product of $157,887 million in 2024-25 at current prices, 5.7% of Australian gross domestic product ($2,778,897 million), 4th smallest of 8 among states and territories.
- Health in South Australia: Boys born in South Australia can expect to live 80.9 years and girls 84.9 years (life expectancy at birth, 2022-2024), compared with 81.1 and 85.1 years for Australia; for males South Australia ranks 4th lowest of 8, for females 4th lowest of 8.
- Education in South Australia: South Australia had 714 schools in 2025 (508 government, 101 Catholic and 105 independent) with 284,559 students enrolled, +0.5% on 2024.
- Poverty and living standards in South Australia: The 2021 Census estimated 7,413 people were homeless in South Australia, a rate of 42 per 10,000 people (joint 3rd lowest of 8 states and territories).
- Government budget and revenue in South Australia: The South Australia government raised $27,208 million in revenue and spent $27,143 million in 2024-25 (general government sector), a net operating balance of +$65 million.
How fast is the population of South Australia growing?
The population of South Australia grew by 1.1% in the year to 30 June 2025 (from 1,882,164); its growth rate was 2nd slowest of 8 among the states and territories.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median age in South Australia?
The median age of people in South Australia was 40.6 years at 30 June 2024 (2nd oldest of 8 states and territories).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many migrants arrived in South Australia?
Net overseas migration added 19,069 people to the population of South Australia in the year to 30 June 2025.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in South Australia are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?
At the 2021 Census 2.4% of people in South Australia identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and 24.0% were born overseas.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow states are governed in Australia
States (6) and self-governing territories (2). Elected parliaments; premier or chief minister from the majority. Create, merge and supervise local councils through their own Local Government Acts.
Every tier of government in Australia
Other states of Australia
- New South Wales 8,592,524
- Victoria 7,073,859
- Queensland 5,669,764
- Western Australia 3,044,382
- Tasmania 576,261
- Australian Capital Territory 484,630
- Northern Territory 264,556
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Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Census of Population and Housing 2021, state and territory results (via ABS Data by region): health conditions, education, housing costs, homelessness, disadvantage, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7f6d87de31d5…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Government Finance Statistics, Australia, 2024-25: state general government operating statement, balance sheet and expenses by purpose, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a22f46e52d4e…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Australian National Accounts: State Accounts, 2024-25, Table 1: Gross state product, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 193fa6f8752b…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Life expectancy 2022-2024: life tables by state and territory of usual residence, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b8ed69c08132…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Labour Force, Australia, September 2026: trend and seasonally adjusted state and territory series, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 72befbbd1b24…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Schools, 2025: Table 90a key information by state, Table 53a student-teacher ratios, Table 64a retention rates, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c3ecf57c8e83…)
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