Population of Oceania

As of October 26, 2026, Oceania's population is estimated at 47,281,391, based on linear interpolation between the most recent official reference dates in the United Nations population projections.

As of July 1, 2026, Oceania's population is projected to reach 47,118,993 (47.1 million), up from 46,609,644 (46.6 million) on July 1, 2025. Oceania is one of only two continents, alongside Africa, whose population is not projected to peak by 2100, with its population expected to continue growing through the end of the century.

Oceania is the least populous continent, with a population comparable to that of Spain, the world's 34th most populous country. It accounts for just 0.57% of the world population, but its global share is projected to increase to 0.72% by 2100.

Australia and New Zealand form the largest population bloc in Oceania, accounting for nearly 69% of the continent's population, followed by Melanesia at 28%. Together, these two regions make up over 97% of Oceania's total population.

Oceania has the world's second-highest population growth rate in 2026, at 1.07%, surpassed only by Africa. However, this is well below Oceania's peak annual growth rate of 2.78%, recorded in 1970. Among its subregions, Melanesia is growing the fastest, followed by Australia and New Zealand, while Polynesia's population growth rate is close to zero.

Oceania is projected to add 502K people in 2026, down from its peak annual population increase of approximately 756K in 2016. This represents a decline of about 254K in the annual increase since the peak.

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Oceanian subregions by population

Historical and Projection

Oceania population projections

Oceania population estimates