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 Western Australia was 35 to 39 year olds. The group that changed the most since 1991 was 55 to 59 year olds, increasing by 100,591 people.
The Age Structure of Western 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 Western 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 Western 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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Australia - Total persons (Enumerated) | 2021 | 1991 | Change | ||||
| Five year age groups (years) | Number | % | Australia % | Number | % | Australia % | 1991 to 2021 |
| 0 to 4 | 161,834 | 6.1 | 5.8 | 124,807 | 7.9 | 7.5 | +37,027 |
| 5 to 9 | 173,131 | 6.5 | 6.2 | 126,304 | 8.0 | 7.5 | +46,827 |
| 10 to 14 | 171,758 | 6.4 | 6.2 | 122,591 | 7.7 | 7.4 | +49,167 |
| 15 to 19 | 153,141 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 124,343 | 7.8 | 7.8 | +28,798 |
| 20 to 24 | 158,633 | 5.9 | 6.2 | 127,302 | 8.0 | 8.0 | +31,331 |
| 25 to 29 | 176,318 | 6.6 | 7.0 | 127,287 | 8.0 | 7.9 | +49,031 |
| 30 to 34 | 196,675 | 7.4 | 7.3 | 133,953 | 8.4 | 8.2 | +62,722 |
| 35 to 39 | 201,607 | 7.6 | 7.2 | 128,135 | 8.1 | 7.7 | +73,472 |
| 40 to 44 | 179,445 | 6.7 | 6.5 | 123,569 | 7.8 | 7.5 | +55,876 |
| 45 to 49 | 175,265 | 6.6 | 6.4 | 92,475 | 5.8 | 5.9 | +82,790 |
| 50 to 54 | 174,412 | 6.5 | 6.3 | 75,435 | 4.8 | 4.9 | +98,977 |
| 55 to 59 | 163,706 | 6.1 | 6.1 | 63,115 | 4.0 | 4.2 | +100,591 |
| 60 to 64 | 152,063 | 5.7 | 5.8 | 61,125 | 3.9 | 4.2 | +90,938 |
| 65 to 69 | 133,812 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 53,301 | 3.4 | 3.9 | +80,511 |
| 70 to 74 | 116,155 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 39,570 | 2.5 | 3.0 | +76,585 |
| 75 to 79 | 78,215 | 2.9 | 3.2 | 31,013 | 2.0 | 2.2 | +47,202 |
| 80 to 84 | 53,098 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 19,048 | 1.2 | 1.3 | +34,050 |
| 85 and over | 50,090 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 12,884 | 0.8 | 0.9 | +37,206 |
| Total population | 2,669,358 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 1,586,257 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +1,083,101 |
Dominant groups
Analysis of the five year age groups of Western Australia in 2021 compared to Australia shows that there was a higher proportion of people in the younger age groups (under 15) and a lower proportion of people in the older age groups (65+).
Overall, 19.0% of the population was aged between 0 and 15, and 16.2% were aged 65 years and over, compared with 18.2% and 17.2% respectively for Australia.
There were no major differences between Western Australia and Australia in 2021.
Emerging groups
From 1991 to 2021, Western Australia's population increased by 1,083,101 people (68.3%). This represents an average annual population change of 1.75% per year over the period.
The largest changes in age structure in this area between 1991 and 2021 were in the age groups:
- 55 to 59 (+100,591 persons)
- 50 to 54 (+98,977 persons)
- 60 to 64 (+90,938 persons)
- 45 to 49 (+82,790 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.