Figure 1: share of the Australian population by state/territory, selected intervals

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australian Demographic Statistics, Sep 2018, cat. no. 3101.0 and ABS, Population Projections, Australia, 2017–2066, (Series B), cat. no. 3222.0.

Between 1988 and 2018 the proportion of Australians living in Queensland and Western Australia increased, while the numbers of those living in New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania declined. The number of those residing in Victoria, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory were fairly constant. These trends are largely projected to continue—except for Victoria increasing its share of population, and Queensland and Western Australia levelling off by 2038.

Figure 2: share of Australian population by age group, selected intervals

Source: ABS, Australian Demographic Statistics, Sep 2018, cat. no. 3101.0 and ABS, Population Projections, Australia, 2017–2066, (Series B), cat. no. 3222.0.

Over the 30 years to 2018, Australia’s population has aged, and this trend is projected to continue. The proportion in the under 15 age group fell from 22% in 1988 to 19% in 2018 but may be similar in 2038 at 18%. In contrast, those aged 65 and over increased their share between 1988 and 2018 from 11% to 16% and may represent 19% in 2038.

Figure 3: estimated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Population, 1901–2016

Source: ABS, Australian Historical Population Statistics, 2016, cat. no. 3105.0.65.001.

Since the 1980s the number of Indigenous Australians has grown rapidly. This is primarily due to relatively high fertility rates, falling mortality and an increased propensity to identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Figure 4: total fertility rate, 1901–2017

Source: ABS, Australian Historical Population Statistics, 2016, cat. no. 3105.0.65.001 and ABS, Births, Australia, 2017, cat. no. 3301.0.

Since Federation, Australia has undergone a demographic transition from high to low fertility and mortality rates. Since the 1970s, fertility (birth) rates have been less than two children per woman, around half pre-World War I levels. Lower rates during the 1930s Depression are evident, as is the post-World War II baby-boomer period.

Figure 5: life expectancy at birth, 1901–2016

Source: ABS, Australian Historical Population Statistics, 2016, cat. no. 3105.0.65.001.

People in Australia have among the highest life expectancies of any nation. Australians can now expect to have an extra 27 years of life compared to those born at Federation. The improvement in life expectancy has been slowing in recent times, though women still outlive men by around four years on average.

Table 1: leading causes of death in Australia, 2008 and 2017

Note: Causes of death data for 2017 are preliminary and subject to a revisions process

Source: ABS, Causes of Death, 2017, cat no. 3303.0.

Table 2: top ten countries of birth outside Australia, 1998 and 2018

Source: ABS, Migration, Australia, 2017–18, cat. no. 3412.0.

The proportion of Australians born overseas increased from 23% in 1998 to 29% in 2018. This accompanied a shift in migration patterns over recent decades away from the United Kingdom and other European countries to primarily Asian countries. Those born in China, India, Philippines and South Africa have shown the greatest rise.

Table 3: top ten languages spoken at home other than English, 1996 and 2016

Source: ABS, Census of Population and Housing, 1996 and 2016.

In 1996, 81% of the Australian population only spoke English at home; declining to 73% in 2016. In 2016, more than one in five Australians (21%) spoke a language besides English at home. Mandarin remains the next most common language, spoken at home by one in every 40 Australians (or 12% of all non-English speaking languages).

Table 4: population by religious affiliation, 1996 and 2016

Note: (a)  In 1996, data on the number of Sikhs was not published separately; however, they are included in the ‘Other’ of ‘Other Religions’ category in 2016 Census data.

Source: ABS, Census of Population and Housing, 1996 and 2016.

Since 1996, the share of people professing no religious affiliation has risen sharply. While coming off very low bases, the numbers following Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism have also grown relatively strongly, generally reflecting high net overseas migration flows.

Figure 6: highest level of educational attainment, 2006 and 2016

Note: Population aged 18 years and over and not at school.

Source: ABS, Census of Population and Housing, 1996 and 2016.

Figure 7: share of private sector employment, June 2017

Source: ABS, Australian Industry, 2016–17, cat. no. 8155.0.

Figure 8: trade and non-trade apprentices and trainees in training, 1985–2018

Note: Trade placements includes occupations in metal manufacturing; motor vehicle repair and maintenance; construction; printing; food; hairdressing; wood product manufacturing and textile; and clothing and footwear. Non-trade placements include community and personal service workers (including health and welfare support workers, carers and aides, hospitality workers and protective services workers); clerical and administration workers; sales workers; and machinery operators and drivers.

Source: National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), Historical Time Series of Apprentices and Traineeships in Australia, 2018.

Figure 9: enrolment in higher education by citizenship category, 2001–2017

Source: Department of Education and Training,Higher Education Data Cube (uCube).

Table 5: key labour force and economic indicators, selected years

Note: (a) The underemployment rate is the share of people in the labour force that want, and are available for, more hours of work. (b) Prevalence of long-term unemployment is the share of unemployed people who have been actively seeking work for 12 months or more. (c) Labour productivity in the whole economy is measured by annual change in the GDP per hour worked index.

Sources: ABS, Labour Force, Australia, April 2019, cat no. 6202.0; Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, April 2019, cat no. 6291.0.55.001; Consumer Price Index, Australia, March 2019, cat no. 6401.0; Australian National Accounts: National Income, Expenditure and Product, December 2018, cat. no. 5206.0; and Wage Price Index, Australia, December 2018, cat no. 6345.0.

Figure 10: unemployment rate in Australia, 1901–2018

Sources: W Vamplez, ed., Australians Historical Statistics, 1987, Fairfax, Syme & Weldon Associates, Australia, LAB 86-97, pp. 152 (Butlin Estimates from 1901 to 1966); ABS, The Labour Force Australian Historical Summary, 1966–1984, cat no. 6204.0 (data from 1999–1977) and Labour Force, Australia, April 2019, cat no. 6202.0 (data from 1978–2018, seasonally adjusted).

Figure 11: annual and average growth in GDP, 2000–2018

Source: ABS, Australian National Accounts: National Income, Expenditure and Product, December 2018, cat. no. 5206.0, Table 1, seasonally adjusted data.

Figure 12: Consumer Price Index, headline and underlying rates, 2003–2018

Source: ABS, Consumer Price Index, March 2019, cat. 6401.0, Tables 1, 2 and 8. Note: The underlying rate excludes volatile price movements due to floods or drought, seasonal conditions or government policy decisions.

Figure 13: Australian exports, imports and trade balance as a proportion of GDP

Source: ABS, Australian National Accounts: National Income, Expenditure and Product, December 2018, cat. no. 5206.0.

Table 6: Australia’s top 10 export markets, 2013–14 to 2017–18

Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia’s trade in goods and services by top 15 partners, 2017–18.

Table 7: Australia’s top 15 export products, 2013–14 to 2017–18

Notes: (a) Goods trade is on a recorded trade basis, Services trade is on a balance of payments basis; (b) Includes student expenditure on tuition fees and living expense; (c) Balance of payments basis.

Source: DFAT, Australia’s trade in goods and services 2017–18.

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