Live Roundups Editor's Desk Insights Executive Ops Weather About 🔍
Home › Science › Australia’s Indigenous population estimated at 2.2m...
Science

Australia’s Indigenous population estimated at 2.2m before ‘demographic catastrophe’ of colonisation

The Guardian UK Tuesday 15 September 2026, 09:00 UTC By Tory Shepherd 1 min read
Key Points

Study finds earlier numbers were underestimated, suggesting impact of diseases and massacres were much greater than previously thoughtGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia before colonisation was dramatically underestimated, according to new research that suggests many more of them were killed. Modelling by a national research group puts the population levels before the 1788 first fleet arrived at...

Study finds earlier numbers were underestimated, suggesting impact of diseases and massacres were much greater than previously thought

The number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia before colonisation was dramatically underestimated, according to new research that suggests many more of them were killed.

Modelling by a national research group puts the population levels before the 1788 first fleet arrived at 2.2 million, compared with early estimates of 250,000 people.

Continue reading...
Australia (LOCATION) Aboriginal (ORG) Torres Strait Islander (LOCATION)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

Related Stories

Parkrun roll out support packs to help people with confidence issues take part

Parkrun roll out support packs to help people with confidence issues take part Parkrun is hugely popular all over the world - but some people lack the confidence to take part. Now the organisers have teamed up with Specsavers in a bid to help Parkrun support packs are set to be rolled out after a study found half of people with accessibility needs lack confidence to take part alone. Research by Specsavers claims 54% of those with additional needs would attend Parkrun if they didn't face...

Daily Mirror 40m ago

'Speed up drying clothes indoors' with £15 Aldi item coming out this Sunday

'Speed up drying clothes indoors' with £15 Aldi item coming out this Sunday The supermarket will be bringing out a new range of 'Laundry and Cleaning' items this weekend Aldi is releasing a budget-friendly laundry solution designed to speed up drying clothes. The supermarket is bringing out a new batch of Special Buy deals this weekend, with the upcoming 'Laundry and Cleaning' range going on sale on Sunday, September 20.

Daily Mirror 45m ago

Just add fish: Scientists pursue more rice, less disease in Senegal paddies

Half smiling through crinkled eyes, Moussa Ndiaye, in his long tunic and skullcap, watched a combine harvest his northern Senegal rice paddy, where he expects a good haul—not just of grain.

Phys.org 59m ago

Impact of colonisation on First Nations people far greater than previous estimates, research finds

Impact of colonisation on First Nations people far greater than previous estimates, research finds In short: Australia's pre-colonial population estimate has been revised, suggesting the number of Indigenous peoples on the continent was at least twice as large as previously thought. Diseases and settler violence caused an estimated 2.06 million to die after the arrival of the First Fleet. Based on current trends, it would take another 21 years for Australia's Indigenous population to reach...

ABC Australia 1h ago