This report presents population estimates from 1950 to the present for 235 countries or areas, underpinned by analyses of historical demographic trends. The population estimates and projections describe population growth and ageing, as well as key trends in human fertility, mortality, and net international migration that are integral to sustainable development.

Victoria is growing faster than at any other time in the state’s history and Melbourne is forecast to soon become Australia’s most populous city. Victoria has a remarkable opportunity to harness its growing population and thrive in an increasingly competitive global economy. Realising this transformational opportunity will require deliberate planning and careful management.

By 2050, Sydney is expected to be home to more than 8 million people. This report explores how the challenges and opportunities associated with rapid growth can be better distributed across Greater Sydney.

The attitudes of Australians towards population growth is constantly changing. In the 28th ANUPoll, a representative sample of Australians show that more than two-thirds of adults do not think that Australia needs more people, a dramatic increase since a similar question was asked in 2010.

This paper provides advice to governments, industry, and the community on how to enable best-practice sequencing. It calls for an overhaul of the way new housing and infrastructure in our largest cities is delivered, proposing changes to current planning systems, governance frameworks, and funding arrangements to better manage Australia's rapid population growth.