Australia's population set to tick over to 24 million
Just after midnight tonight, the population of Australia will tick over to 24 million.
Experts are predicting the number will be reached at 12:50pm and the question is posed – who will it be?
Close to 800 babies are born in Australia everyday, but there is also the possibly our 24 millionth arrival could be an asylum seeker.
To parents Adam and Erin, their precious newborn Silas is one-in-a-million, but to the growing Australian nation, he's now one-in-24 million.
Demographer Mark McCrindle told 7 News Australia’s population was growing at a record rate.
“A decade ago we were adding an extra million people every five or so years,” he said.
“This extra million has been added in less than three years - the shortest period of time in history.”
In 1968 the nation hit 12 million and now, 48 years later, we have officially doubled that number.
Sustained migration, strong fertility rates and longer life expectancy are all fuelling a population boom.
Mr McCrindle said it will take another half a century to double our population again.
Even with a strong population of 24 million, Australia still holds less than one-third of one per cent of the total world headcount.
News break – February 15