Indigenous Australian Population Was Much Larger than Previously Thought and Decimated After First Fleet's Arrival

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

Australia's Indigenous population was up to seven times larger before colonisation than previously estimated, but was devastated following the arrival of Europeans, new research reveals.

More than 2 million Indigenous people lived in Australia in 1788: new research

Genetic, archaeological and environmental evidence suggest the Indigenous population fell by more than 90% In the 70 years after the British invaded.

Indigenous Australian population was much larger than previously thought and decimated after First Fleet's arrival

Australia had a much larger Indigenous population before the arrival of Europeans than previously thought, according to new research. The research also demonstrates much larger population losses resulting from colonization than previously believed, with an estimated 93% of the pre-European population lost in less than 80 years following the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet.

Australia's Indigenous Population Was 7 Times Larger Than Estimated, Study Finds

Cultural warning: This article discusses the deaths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including through disease and frontier violence, and features images of deceased people.