Overview
- Sydney recorded a net internal loss of 33,282 residents to the rest of Australia in 2024–25, according to new ABS regional figures.
- Most departures came from the city’s east, with KPMG estimating more than 30,000 leaving the northern beaches, north shore, eastern suburbs and inner west.
- Overseas migration still raised Greater Sydney’s headcount by 75,000 or 1.4%, which was the slowest growth since the COVID years and down from 2% the year before.
- Western and north‑west districts led growth, with Box Hill–Nelson adding 3,911 people and Marsden Park–Shanes Park adding 3,172 as new rail, road links and airport jobs boosted appeal.
- Demographers flagged 42 suburbs where deaths exceeded births and noted families moving to regional NSW and Queensland for cheaper homes, while Melbourne’s stronger housing approvals, about 24% higher, are helping it close the population gap.