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LEARN MORE ABOUT .idIn 2021, the largest age group in South Australia was 35 to 39 year olds. The group that changed the most since 2006 was 70 to 74 year olds, increasing by 41,665 people.
The Age Structure of South 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 South 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 South 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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Australia - Total persons (Enumerated) | 2021 | 2006 | Change | ||||
| Five year age groups (years) | Number | % | Greater Melbourne % | Number | % | Greater Melbourne % | 2006 to 2021 |
| 0 to 4 | 94,191 | 5.3 | 5.9 | 87,065 | 5.8 | 6.3 | +7,126 |
| 5 to 9 | 103,661 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 93,259 | 6.2 | 6.3 | +10,402 |
| 10 to 14 | 105,050 | 5.9 | 6.0 | 99,433 | 6.6 | 6.5 | +5,617 |
| 15 to 19 | 99,013 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 100,343 | 6.7 | 6.8 | -1,330 |
| 20 to 24 | 108,673 | 6.1 | 6.7 | 99,429 | 6.6 | 7.4 | +9,244 |
| 25 to 29 | 116,831 | 6.6 | 7.8 | 88,434 | 5.9 | 7.2 | +28,397 |
| 30 to 34 | 117,889 | 6.6 | 8.3 | 96,411 | 6.4 | 7.7 | +21,478 |
| 35 to 39 | 118,805 | 6.7 | 8.1 | 107,249 | 7.2 | 8.0 | +11,556 |
| 40 to 44 | 107,464 | 6.1 | 6.9 | 110,836 | 7.4 | 7.6 | -3,372 |
| 45 to 49 | 109,536 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 111,930 | 7.5 | 7.2 | -2,394 |
| 50 to 54 | 114,407 | 6.5 | 6.3 | 103,197 | 6.9 | 6.4 | +11,210 |
| 55 to 59 | 113,671 | 6.4 | 5.6 | 98,431 | 6.6 | 5.8 | +15,240 |
| 60 to 64 | 111,752 | 6.3 | 5.1 | 75,869 | 5.1 | 4.4 | +35,883 |
| 65 to 69 | 100,817 | 5.7 | 4.3 | 60,475 | 4.0 | 3.5 | +40,342 |
| 70 to 74 | 92,698 | 5.2 | 3.8 | 51,033 | 3.4 | 2.9 | +41,665 |
| 75 to 79 | 66,203 | 3.7 | 2.8 | 48,307 | 3.2 | 2.6 | +17,896 |
| 80 to 84 | 45,388 | 2.6 | 2.0 | 37,617 | 2.5 | 2.0 | +7,771 |
| 85 and over | 47,195 | 2.7 | 2.0 | 30,453 | 2.0 | 1.6 | +16,742 |
| Total population | 1,773,244 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 1,499,771 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +273,473 |
Dominant groups
Analysis of the five year age groups of South Australia in 2021 compared to Greater Melbourne shows that there was a lower proportion of people in the younger age groups (under 15) and a higher proportion of people in the older age groups (65+).
Overall, 17.1% of the population was aged between 0 and 15, and 19.9% were aged 65 years and over, compared with 18.2% and 14.9% respectively for Greater Melbourne.
The major differences between the age structure of South Australia and Greater Melbourne were:
- A larger percentage of persons aged 70 to 74 (5.2% compared to 3.8%)
- A larger percentage of persons aged 65 to 69 (5.7% compared to 4.3%)
- A smaller percentage of persons aged 30 to 34 (6.6% compared to 8.3%)
- A smaller percentage of persons aged 35 to 39 (6.7% compared to 8.1%)
Emerging groups
From 2006 to 2021, South Australia's population increased by 273,473 people (18.2%). This represents an average annual population change of 1.12% per year over the period.
The largest changes in age structure in this area between 2006 and 2021 were in the age groups:
- 70 to 74 (+41,665 persons)
- 65 to 69 (+40,342 persons)
- 60 to 64 (+35,883 persons)
- 25 to 29 (+28,397 persons)
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