Brisbane Economy Reaches $225 Billion GRP Amid Steady Business Growth

Brisbane posted a gross regional product of $225 billion for 2022-23, according to figures compiled by the city council from state government statistics. The number reflects output across the 1342.7 square kilometre local government area that covers 190 suburbs plus islands in Moreton Bay.

The update arrives as the council continues work under its 2015 Economic Development Plan, which sets targets for investment attraction, local business support and stronger global links. With a resident population listed at 1.38 million as of June 2025 and a labour force of almost 850,000 by March 2026, Brisbane is tracking population and job figures that shape daily decisions for residents and employers.

Workforce and housing patterns

Seventy per cent of the population fell into the working-age bracket between 15 and 64 years as of June 2024. At the same time, 68 per cent of employed residents both lived and worked inside the Brisbane local government area, based on 2021 Census returns. Average household size stood at 2.5 persons in that census count.

These patterns matter for transport planning, housing demand and the daily commute load on roads and public transport. Council staff collect the numbers regularly to help businesses understand their local customer base and labour pool.

Business count and next steps

Almost 146,000 registered businesses operated in Brisbane during 2024-25. The council’s plan lists actions to draw new investment while helping existing firms expand, with quality-of-life measures included as part of the growth strategy.

Residents and companies wanting the full breakdown can download Brisbane’s Economic Profile from the council website or create a custom community profile for neighbourhood-level data. The same site also hosts an open-data portal and instructions for lodging market-led proposals.