ANU Poll of just over 2,000 people shows only 30.4 per cent of respondents believe Australia needs more people, compared to 69.6 per cent who felt the country did not.
The 15 per cent drop is largely attributable to falling support levels among men from 53.4 per cent in 2010 dropping to 32.8 per cent in 2018.
Younger people especially those aged 25-34 showed the greatest support for population growth while people aged 45-54 showed the lowest.
Those who support population growth cite the economic benefits, the need for a skilled workforce and easing overpopulation overseas as the main reasons. Those who don't cite concerns about traffic, congestion, housing affordability and employment.
The ANUPoll also gauged opinion on support for an expansion of the regional migration program, asking the respondents if they supported policies requiring new migrants to live in regional towns or cities for a period of time.
In total just over 70 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with policies requiring migrants to do so but support was lower for people who live outside of the capital cities at 66.1 per cent.
