Peel region
Key statistics*
Estimated resident population: 146,239
Gross regional product: $10.3 billion
Infrastructure WA
Pilbara region
Key statistics*
Estimated resident population: 62,841
Gross regional product: $57.3 billion
Perth region
Key statistics*
Estimated resident population: 1,985,640
Gross regional product $186.1 billion
South West region
Key statistics*
Estimated resident population: 181,801
Gross regional product: $14.9 billion
Wheatbelt region
Key statistics*
Estimated resident population: 73,690
Gross regional product: $7.4 billion
Arts, culture, sport and recreation
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.
Education and training
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).
Water
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.
Justice and public safety
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
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.
