idc-logo
svg rectangle color
AustraliaCommunity profile

Australia

Five year age groups

In 2021, the largest age group in Australia was 30 to 34 year olds. The group that changed the most since 2016 was 35 to 39 year olds, increasing by 277,133 people.

The Age Structure of Australia provides key insights into the level of demand for age based services and facilities such as child care. It is also an indicator of Australia's residential role and function and how it is likely to change in the future.

Five year age groups present a classic age profile of the population. Each age group covers exactly five years, which enables direct comparison between each group.

To get a more complete picture Australia's Age Structure should be viewed in conjunction with Household Types and Dwelling Types.

Q:

Derived from the Census question:

'What is the person's date of birth or age?'

Age structure - Five year age groups
Australia - Total persons (Usual residence)20212016Change
Five year age groups (years)Number%Greater Capital Cities %Number%Greater Capital Cities %2016 to 2021
0 to 41,463,8175.85.91,464,7766.36.4-959
5 to 91,586,1396.26.31,502,6446.46.4+83,495
10 to 141,588,0596.26.21,397,1826.05.9+190,877
15 to 191,457,8035.75.71,421,6126.16.1+36,191
20 to 241,579,5466.26.61,566,7926.77.2+12,754
25 to 291,771,6777.07.51,664,6097.17.8+107,068
30 to 341,853,0857.37.91,703,8527.38.0+149,233
35 to 391,838,8197.27.81,561,6866.77.1+277,133
40 to 441,648,8436.56.81,583,2546.87.0+65,589
45 to 491,635,9526.46.51,581,4606.86.8+54,492
50 to 541,610,9396.36.31,523,5576.56.3+87,382
55 to 591,541,9156.15.81,454,3326.25.8+87,583
60 to 641,468,1035.85.31,299,4065.65.1+168,697
65 to 691,298,4635.14.61,188,9895.14.5+109,474
70 to 741,160,7754.64.0887,7213.83.4+273,054
75 to 79821,9153.22.9652,6712.82.5+169,244
80 to 84554,5992.22.0460,5552.01.8+94,044
85 and over542,3402.12.0486,8472.12.0+55,493
Total population25,422,789100.0100.023,401,945100.0100.0+2,020,844
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

Dominant groups

Analysis of the five year age groups of Australia in 2021 compared to Greater Capital Cities shows that there was a similar proportion of people in the younger age groups (under 15) and a higher proportion of people in the older age groups (65+).

Overall, 18.2% of the population was aged between 0 and 15, and 17.2% were aged 65 years and over, compared with 18.4% and 15.5% respectively for Greater Capital Cities.

The major differences between the age structure of Australia and Greater Capital Cities were:

  • A larger percentage of persons aged 65 to 69 (5.1% compared to 4.6%)
  • A larger percentage of persons aged 70 to 74 (4.6% compared to 4.0%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons aged 30 to 34 (7.3% compared to 7.9%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons aged 35 to 39 (7.2% compared to 7.8%)

Emerging groups

From 2016 to 2021, Australia's population increased by 2,020,844 people (8.6%). This represents an average annual population change of 1.67% per year over the period.

The largest changes in age structure in this area between 2016 and 2021 were in the age groups:

  • 35 to 39 (+277,133 persons)
  • 70 to 74 (+273,054 persons)
  • 10 to 14 (+190,877 persons)
  • 75 to 79 (+169,244 persons)

DISCLAIMER: While all due care has been taken to ensure that the content of this website is accurate and current, there may be errors or omissions in it and no legal responsibility is accepted for the information and opinions in this website.

Please view our Privacy Policy, Terms of use and Legal notices.

ABS Data and the copyright in the ABS Data remains the property of the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The copyright in the way .id has modified, transformed or reconfigured the ABS Data as published on this website remains the property of .id. ABS Data can be accessed from the Australian Bureau of Statistics at www.abs.gov.au. ABS data can be used under license - terms published on ABS website. intermediary.management@abs.gov.au if you have any queries or wish to distribute any ABS data.