Australia and New Zealand are two developed nations in Oceania region. This article compares these two nations. Let’s read.
Australia vs New Zealand – country comparison
Which country is larger, Australia or New Zealand?
Australia is one of the largest countries in the world. New Zealand is much smaller as compared with Australia.
- Area of Australia – 7.7 million square kilometers
- Area of New Zealand – 268,000 square kilometers
Which country is more populous, Australia or New Zealand?
The population of Australia is more than five times that of New Zealand’s population. Both countries have low population densities.
- Population of Australia – approximately 25.5 million (2022)
- Population of New Zealand – about 5 million (2022)
Highest natural point
- Australia – Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m) (mainland)
- New Zealand – Mount Cook (Aoraki) (3,724 m)
Most spoken Language
- Australia – English
- New Zealand – English and Māori
In which country the life expectancy is higher, Australia or New Zealand?
Life expectancy is more in Australia as compared with New Zealand (as ranked by most organizations e.g. World Bank, United Nations, etc)
Population density
Both these countries are sparsely populated. The population density of Australia is just 3 people per square kilometer. New Zealand has only 19 people per square kilometer.
- Population density of Australia – 3 people per square kilometer
- Population density of New Zealand – 19 people per square kilometer
Capital city
- Australia – Canberra
- New Zealand – Wellington
Top 3 largest cities
Australia
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Brisbane
New Zealand
- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Wellington
Popular sports
- Australian rules football, cricket, Rugby league, and soccer are the most popular sports in Australia
- Rugby Union and cricket are the two most popular sports in New Zealand.
Major rivers
| Australia | New Zealand |
| Murray River, Murrumbidgee River, Darling River, Lachlan River, Warrego River, etc. | Waikato River, Clutha River, Whanganui River, Taieri River, Rangitīkei River, etc. |
Women’s suffrage
- New Zealand was the first self-governing country in the world to give voting rights to women (in 1893).
- In 1902, Australia became the second country in the world to provide voting rights to females. However, Indigenous Australian women were granted the right to vote in 1962.
Flags
GDP
The GDP of Australia is more than six times the GDP of New Zealand. This is not a surprise as Australia is much bigger and both countries are developed.
| Australia | New Zealand | |
| Area | 7.7 million sq km | 268,000 sq km |
| Population | ~25.5 million (2022) | ~5 million (2022) |
| National Animal | Kangaroo and Emu | Kiwi |
| Currency | Australian Dollar | New Zealand Dollar |
| Capital city | Canberra | Wellington |
| Largest city | Sydney | Auckland |
| Type of government | Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Life expectancy at birth (2021/UN) | 84.5 | 82.5 |