Ageing population

Our population is getting old. The latest demographic estimates released by the ABS confirm the continuing trend. It is remarkable to see how rapid it has been over such a short period of time.

Population pyriamids, 20 year intervals (males left, females right)

Age brackets as proportion of total population

Another remarkable figure to emerge over the past decade is the jump in births. The below table shows the natural increase of Australia's population over time; that is, the difference between births and deaths. The death rate has remained fairly steady (with gradual growth), while births have really jumped. And this is happening while the 0-18 year olds have been declining as a proportion of the population (as shown in the above table).

Natural population increase (births and deaths)