Australia at a Glance

An overview of Australia's economy - high incomes, resource exports, services and immigration - and why it's called "the lucky country".

Australia has about 27 million people and one of the world’s highest incomes per person.

Economy

Services dominate: finance, education, health and tourism.
Mining: iron ore, coal, LNG, gold and lithium.
Agriculture: wheat, beef, wool and wine.

Trade

China is the largest export market, especially for iron ore.
Japan, South Korea and India are also key.

The lucky country

Author Donald Horne wrote “The Lucky Country” (1964), originally ironic, suggesting Australia prospered through luck rather than ingenuity. The phrase stuck.

Immigration

About 30 percent of Australians were born overseas; India became one of the top sources of new migrants.

Cities

Most people live in coastal cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

The iron ore ship

A giant ship loads iron ore at Port Hedland, bound for a Chinese steel mill, one of thousands of such voyages each year.

Thinking Australia's wealth is only from mining

Services make up most of its economy.

Key takeaways

Australia has about 27 million people and high incomes.
Services dominate; mining drives exports.
China is the largest export market.
About 30 percent of Australians were born overseas.