Perth, now Australia’s fourth-most populous city, continues to grow rapidly. As of June 2023, the Greater Perth area had an estimated 2,309,338 residents, a 3.6% increase from the previous year — the highest growth rate among Australia’s capital cities.

A City Built on Immigration

Historically, Perth was largely Anglo-Celtic in origin, but post-war immigration reshaped its identity. The 1950s and 1960s saw waves of European migrants—particularly Italians, Greeks, Dutch, Germans, Croatians, and Macedonians—who brought vibrant new traditions. Fremantle, the first port of arrival for many migrants, became a hub of cultural activity, home to the annual Blessing of the Fleet Festival and the famous “Cappuccino Strip” of Italian cafés.

British and Irish Roots Remain Strong

At the 2021 Census, English (36.8%) and Australian (27.8%) ancestries topped the list, followed by Irish (8.8%), Scottish (8.7%), and Italian (5.5%). Perth also has the highest number of England-born residents in Australia—169,938 people, surpassing Sydney despite its smaller population.

Growing Multicultural Communities

From the late 20th century onward, new waves of migration diversified the city further. South Africans, who began arriving in large numbers during the 1980s and 1990s, now form one of Perth’s most visible communities—earning the city the nickname “the Australian capital of South Africans in exile.”

Asian migration has also expanded since the end of the White Australia Policy in 1973. Established communities from China, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia now contribute to Perth’s multicultural identity. In 2016, there were over 112,000 residents of Chinese descent, representing 5.3% of the city’s population. Perth is also known for hosting the world’s largest Anglo-Burmese community, many of whom settled after Burma’s independence in 1948.

The Indian community continues to grow, with those of Indian ancestry making up 3.5% of the population in 2021. Perth’s cultural ties with Asia are strengthened by its proximity to the region, making it a preferred destination for many new migrants.

Languages and Indigenous Presence

While 74% of residents speak only English at home, the city’s linguistic landscape reflects its diversity. The most commonly spoken non-English languages are Mandarin (2.3%), Italian (1.1%), Vietnamese (1.0%), Punjabi (0.9%), and Cantonese (0.9%).

Perth also acknowledges its deep Indigenous heritage, with 2% of the population identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander in 2021.

From its Anglo-European roots to its dynamic multicultural present, Perth stands as a modern reflection of Australia’s evolving identity—a city defined by diversity, growth, and global connections.