Western Australia Tomorrow population forecasts

Medium and long term population and household forecasts.
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The WA Tomorrow Population Report No. 11 forecasts are now presented in Storymap incorporating PowerBI. The Storymap section is an infographic summary of the forecasts at the state level. It explains the components of population change and provides an overview of what the future population may look like. The forecast data can be explored further with interactive tables, charts and maps in the PowerBI section.

The trend-based age and sex forecasts in WA Tomorrow are undertaken every five years. While these forecasts predate COVID-19, it is currently unknown the extent that any impact may have on the forecasts. This may be evident in future WA Tomorrow reports.

View the Storymap


WA Tomorrow Population Report No. 11 contains the latest population forecasts by age and sex, for Western Australia and its regions.  They represent the official WA State Government forecasts to 2031.  These forecasts supersede WA Tomorrow Population Report No. 10 (2015). 

WA Tomorrow is a series of population forecasts based on demographic trends.  The forecasts represent the best estimate of future population size if trends in fertility, mortality and migration continue. The forecasts refer to the 30 June in each stated year.

The WA Tomorrow trend forecasts are distinct from government strategies, frameworks and scenarios such as Perth and Peel @ 3.5 million, which are generally longer term in their outlook and seek to guide future growth to deliver desired patterns of urban form.

WA Tomorrow includes a forecast range (A to E), indicating five probable futures. A and B contain the lower forecasts, C is the median forecast and D and E represent the higher forecasts.

For the user who requires the best estimate of future population size, C should be used.  

Please note: See Excel spreadsheets for more details.

Latest forecasts - Population Report No. 11

Archived population projections

Previous (archived) population projections are available on request from demography@dplh.wa.gov.au

Population Report No. 10 - Medium-term Forecasts for Western Australia 2014-2026 and Sub-regions 2016-2026

Western Australia

  • WA medium term forecast - excel
  • WA medium term forecast - csv
  • Medium term forecast notes - pdf

Local government area

  • Local government area total population - excel
  • Local government area total Population - csv
  • Local government area by age/sex - csv
  • Medium term forecast notes - pdf

SA2 - Australian Statistical Geography Standard

  • SA2 by age/sex - excel
  • SA2 total population - csv
  • SA2 by age/sex - csv
  • Medium term forecast notes - pdf

SA3 - Australian Statistical Geography Standard

  • SA3 by age/sex - excel
  • SA3 total population - csv
  • SA3 by age/sex - csv
  • Medium term forecast notes - pdf

SA4 - Australian Statistical Geography Standard

  • SA4 - Australian Statistical Geography Standard - excel
  • Medium term forecast notes - pdf
  • SA4 total population - csv
  • SA4 by age/sex - csv

Development Commission Regions

  • Development Commission by age/sex - excel
  • Medium term forecast notes - pdf
  • SA3 total population - csv
  • Development Commission by age/sex - csv

Population Report No. 9 - Long Term Population Forecasts for Western Australia, 2031 to 2061

Western Australia

  • WA Long term forecast - excel
  • WA Long term forecast notes - pdf
  • WA Long term forecast - csv

Household forecasts - Western Australia Tomorrow, Population Report No. 8, 2006-2026, July 2012

Household projections are useful for understanding future housing needs and associated service provision. These projections are based on the Western Australia Tomorrow population forecasts and as such, include a level of uncertainty.

Forecasts are provided for family and group household size, by local government authority. Forecasts also include the number of people in lone person households and non-private dwellings.

Household forecasts for all local government areas in Western Australia

  • Household forecasts
  • Household projections
  • Household projections by type