Countries of birth in Queensland tell their own story. Queensland has a smaller overseas-born share than NSW or Victoria, but its migrant population is led by a neighbour rather than a country on the other side of the world.
How many people in Queensland were born overseas
At the 2021 Census, Queensland’s population was 5.2 million people. Of those, 71.4% were born in Australia, meaning 22.7% of the state, close to 1.2 million people, were born overseas.
That is the lowest overseas-born share of Australia’s three most populous states, but it still represents well over a million people.
The top countries of birth in Queensland
Ranked by population at the 2021 Census, excluding those born in Australia:
- New Zealand: 208,572 people (4.0% of the state population)
- England: 191,731 people (3.7%)
- India: 71,819 people (1.4%)
- China (excludes SARs and Taiwan): 55,762 people (1.1%)
- Philippines: 51,529 people (1.0%)
New Zealand is comfortably the largest overseas country of birth in Queensland, well ahead of England in second place. That is a different order again from both the national figures and from NSW, where China and India rank higher.
Why New Zealand leads in Queensland
Free movement between Australia and New Zealand under longstanding visa arrangements makes relocating simple for New Zealand citizens, and Queensland’s climate, coastline and lower cost of living compared to Sydney or Melbourne have made it a popular landing spot for decades.
England’s strong second place also reflects a long pattern of British migration to Queensland, particularly to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast regions, going back generations.
If you are weighing up Queensland against other states, our guide on regional cities for skilled jobs in Australia covers where demand is strongest outside the capital cities, and our Skills in Demand Visa guide explains how sponsorship works if you are coming from further afield.
What the countries of birth in Queensland data means for you
The countries of birth in Queensland figures matter beyond curiosity. For migrants deciding where to settle, seeing which countries of birth in Queensland show up most often is a signal of where established communities, cultural familiarity and word-of-mouth job leads are strongest.
Employers looking to attract skilled migrants can use the same countries of birth in Queensland breakdown to understand where candidate pools are concentrated, and which language or cultural considerations might matter in recruitment and onboarding.
It is worth remembering the 2021 Census is now a few years old. The next full count will refresh these countries of birth in Queensland figures, but the broad pattern, a strong New Zealand and England-born community, is unlikely to shift dramatically in the short term.
FAQ
What is the most common country of birth in Queensland after Australia?
New Zealand, with 208,572 people at the 2021 Census, well ahead of England at 191,731 and India at 71,819.
What percentage of Queensland’s population was born overseas?
About 22.7% at the 2021 Census, close to 1.2 million people out of a total population of 5.2 million, the lowest share among Australia’s three most populous states.
Why is New Zealand the top country of birth in Queensland rather than India or England?
Longstanding free movement arrangements between Australia and New Zealand, combined with Queensland’s lifestyle and lower cost of living, have made it a popular destination for New Zealand citizens for decades.
Where does this data come from?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2021 Census, the most recent official count that breaks country of birth figures down by state.
