Infrastructure WA

Key statistics*

Estimated resident population: 1,985,640

Gross regional product $186.1 billion

Key statistics*

Estimated resident population: 181,801

Gross regional product: $14.9 billion

Key statistics*

Estimated resident population: 73,690

Gross regional product: $7.4 billion

WA is one of the most culturally diverse states in Australia and is home to people from over 190 countries who speak approximately 240 languages and dialects (including around 50 Aboriginal languages). Its capital Perth, is one of the world’s most liveable cities and was ranked sixth globally in 2021. While scoring very well in most measures, lower scores in components of the culture and environment category, which includes cultural and sporting availability, have impacted Perth’s global ranking over the decade to 2021.

International education is a major economic contributor to WA, generating approximately $2.1 billion in export income and 12,000 full‑time jobs (one full‑time job for every 5 international students).

Where there was once an annual average of 420 GL of water running into Perth dams, planning is now based on just 25 GL per year. Since 1980, water tables across the Gnangara Mound have fallen by up to 10 metres – a 1,000 GL loss of aquifer storage.

Over the 2 decades to 2020–21, offences against the person have more than doubled. The number of defendants finalised in criminal courts rose from 68,553 in 2004–05 to 78,089 in 2019–20. 

WA’s prison population grew from 3,482 in 2004–05 to 6,770 in 2019–20 and in 2020–21, the state had 668 large bushfires, 3,157 small bushfires and 4,918 other fires.

Transport investment will also form approximately 45% of the WA Government’s Asset Investment Program (AIP) from 2021–22 to 2024–25.  

The cost of peak period congestion was estimated at $1.5 billion per annum in 2016, increasing to $3.6 billion per annum by 2031. Also, the percentage of children who walk or cycle to school has declined from 75% in the 1980s to 20% in 2021. 

The circular economy involves all areas of the economy designing out waste and pollution, and continually recovering and reusing materials from products after they have been consumed.  

In 2019-20, WA generated 2,168 kilograms of waste per person. WA lags behind South Australia (85%), Australian Capital Territory (79%), New South Wales (68%) and Victoria (68%) in its rate of resource recovery (62%). 

Housing has long been recognised as an issue that no state government can address on its own. Participation by federal and local governments, as well as community and not-for-profit providers and private industry, is required for a balanced system that reduces cost and maximises choice. 

In 2020, 1 in 5 (200,000) households were estimated to need some form of housing assistance from the WA Government. By 2030, 45,000 additional households are likely to need assistance.