Powered by .id (informed decisions) for Australia
.id community is an evidence base for over 250 local government areas in Australia and New Zealand, helping you make informed decisions.
LEARN MORE ABOUT .idIn 2021, the largest age group in Australia was 30 to 34 year olds. The group that changed the most since 1996 was 60 to 64 year olds, increasing by 413,387 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 females (Enumerated) | 2021 | 1996 | Change | ||||
| Five year age groups (years) | Number | % | Greater Capital Cities % | Number | % | Greater Capital Cities % | 1996 to 2021 |
| 0 to 4 | 711,265 | 5.5 | 5.7 | 615,861 | 6.9 | 6.6 | +95,404 |
| 5 to 9 | 771,428 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 625,947 | 7.0 | 6.6 | +145,481 |
| 10 to 14 | 771,461 | 6.0 | 5.9 | 629,028 | 7.0 | 6.7 | +142,433 |
| 15 to 19 | 708,481 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 610,220 | 6.8 | 6.9 | +98,261 |
| 20 to 24 | 772,713 | 6.0 | 6.4 | 655,623 | 7.3 | 7.8 | +117,090 |
| 25 to 29 | 884,842 | 6.9 | 7.3 | 681,904 | 7.6 | 8.1 | +202,938 |
| 30 to 34 | 948,697 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 702,893 | 7.8 | 8.0 | +245,804 |
| 35 to 39 | 937,120 | 7.3 | 7.8 | 716,029 | 8.0 | 8.0 | +221,091 |
| 40 to 44 | 834,430 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 663,980 | 7.4 | 7.5 | +170,450 |
| 45 to 49 | 833,440 | 6.5 | 6.6 | 625,667 | 7.0 | 7.1 | +207,773 |
| 50 to 54 | 823,776 | 6.4 | 6.3 | 483,373 | 5.4 | 5.4 | +340,403 |
| 55 to 59 | 787,669 | 6.1 | 5.8 | 395,132 | 4.4 | 4.3 | +392,537 |
| 60 to 64 | 756,947 | 5.9 | 5.4 | 343,560 | 3.8 | 3.6 | +413,387 |
| 65 to 69 | 672,553 | 5.2 | 4.7 | 344,925 | 3.8 | 3.6 | +327,628 |
| 70 to 74 | 599,494 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 318,722 | 3.6 | 3.4 | +280,772 |
| 75 to 79 | 429,279 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 240,236 | 2.7 | 2.6 | +189,043 |
| 80 to 84 | 302,140 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 174,471 | 1.9 | 2.0 | +127,669 |
| 85 and over | 331,899 | 2.6 | 2.4 | 140,330 | 1.6 | 1.6 | +191,569 |
| Total population | 12,877,634 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 8,967,901 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +3,909,733 |
Dominant groups
Analysis of the female five year age groups of Australia in 2021 compared to Greater Capital Cities shows that there was a similar proportion of females in the younger age groups (under 15) and a higher proportion of females in the older age groups (65+).
Overall, 17.5% of the female population was aged between 0 and 15, and 18.1% were aged 65 years and over, compared with 17.7% and 16.4% respectively for Greater Capital Cities.
The major differences between the female age structure of Australia and Greater Capital Cities were:
- A larger percentage of females aged 65 to 69 (5.2% compared to 4.7%)
- A larger percentage of females aged 60 to 64 (5.9% compared to 5.4%)
- A smaller percentage of females aged 30 to 34 (7.4% compared to 8.0%)
- A smaller percentage of females aged 35 to 39 (7.3% compared to 7.8%)
Emerging groups
From 1996 to 2021, Australia's female population increased by 3,909,733 people (43.6%). This represents an average annual population change of 1.46% per year over the period.
The largest changes in female age structure in this area between 1996 and 2021 were in the age groups:
- 60 to 64 (+413,387 females)
- 55 to 59 (+392,537 females)
- 50 to 54 (+340,403 females)
- 65 to 69 (+327,628 females)
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.