Top Countries of Birth in NSW (2026 Data)
Countries of birth in NSW tell a clear story: New South Wales is home to more overseas-born residents than any other Australian state, simply because it is the most populous. Here is exactly who makes up that overseas-born population, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
How many people in NSW were born overseas
At the 2021 Census, NSW had a population of 8.1 million people. Of those, 65.4%, or 5,277,497 people, were born in Australia. That leaves close to 2.8 million residents, roughly 29.3% of the state, born overseas.
This is the most detailed official state-level breakdown available, since the annual national country of birth release does not split figures by state.
The top countries of birth in NSW
Ranked by population at the 2021 Census, excluding those born in Australia:
- China (excludes SARs and Taiwan): 247,595 people (3.1% of the state population)
- England: 231,385 people (2.9%)
- India: 208,962 people (2.6%)
- New Zealand: 118,527 people (1.5%)
- Philippines: 106,930 people (1.3%)
China sits narrowly ahead of England as the single largest overseas country of birth in NSW, a different order from the national picture, where India and England lead.
Why NSW looks different from the national numbers
Nationally, India recently overtook England as Australia’s top country of birth. In NSW specifically, China holds the top spot instead. This comes down to where different migrant communities have historically settled. Sydney has long been a major hub for migration from China and Hong Kong, while other states like Victoria show a stronger lean toward India.
If you are choosing where in Australia to settle, this kind of detail matters. A large, established community from your home country in a specific state can mean more cultural familiarity, established associations, and word-of-mouth job leads, on top of whatever visa or salary considerations you are already weighing.
For the visa side of the equation, our Skills in Demand Visa guide explains how employer sponsorship works, and if you are open to looking outside Sydney, our guide to regional cities for skilled jobs in Australia covers where else in the state opportunities are strong.
What the countries of birth in NSW data tells employers and migrants
The countries of birth in NSW figures matter beyond curiosity. For migrants deciding where to settle, seeing which countries of birth in NSW show up most often is a signal of where established communities, cultural familiarity and word-of-mouth job leads are strongest.
Employers looking to attract skilled migrants can use the same countries of birth in NSW breakdown to understand where candidate pools are concentrated, and which language or cultural considerations might matter in recruitment and onboarding.
It is worth remembering the 2021 Census is now a few years old. The next full count will refresh these countries of birth in NSW figures, but the broad pattern, large Chinese, English and Indian-born communities, is unlikely to shift dramatically in the short term.
FAQ
What is the most common country of birth in NSW after Australia? China, with 247,595 people at the 2021 Census, narrowly ahead of England at 231,385 and India at 208,962.
What percentage of NSW’s population was born overseas? About 29.3% at the 2021 Census, close to 2.8 million people out of a total population of 8.1 million.
Is NSW’s top country of birth the same as the national figure? No. Nationally, India recently overtook England as Australia’s top country of birth. In NSW specifically, China is the largest group, ahead of both England and India.
Where does this data come from? The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2021 Census, the most recent official count that breaks country of birth figures down by state.
