Australia’s Greek-born population has fallen below 90,000 for the first time in decades, reflecting the ageing and gradual passing of the post-war migrant generation that helped shape the nation’s Greek diaspora.
New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimate there were 86,980 Greek-born residents living in Australia in 2025, down from 138,080 in 1996. The decline of more than 51,000 people over three decades represents a decrease of around 37 per cent.
The shift is largely attributed to ageing, with Greek-born Australians now among the country’s oldest migrant communities. The average age has risen from 54.69 years in 1996 to 77.08 in 2025, with women making up the majority of the remaining population due to longer life expectancy.
Historically, Greece ranked as the sixth-largest overseas birthplace group in Australia during the mid-1990s. However, changing migration patterns saw it fall outside the top ten by 2007, as arrivals from countries including India and China increased significantly.
A similar demographic trend has affected Australians born in Cyprus, whose population dropped from 23,310 in 1996 to 16,560 in 2025, while the average age also continued to rise.
Among Australian states, Victoria remains the only place where Greek-born residents still rank within the top ten overseas-born communities, although only narrowly.
At the same time, Australia’s migration profile is changing rapidly. In 2025, India overtook England as the largest birthplace group among overseas-born Australians. Overall, around 32 per cent of Australia’s population was born overseas — the highest proportion recorded since the late nineteenth century.
While the first generation of Greek migrants is steadily disappearing, its legacy remains visible in the churches, businesses, traditions and communities built across Australia. Their contribution continues to form an enduring part of the nation’s multicultural identity.
