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LEARN MORE ABOUT .idIn 2021, the largest age group in Canberra was 25 to 29 year olds. The group that changed the most since 2016 was 25 to 29 year olds, increasing by 6,933 people.
The Age Structure of Canberra provides key insights into the level of demand for age based services and facilities such as child care. It is also an indicator of Canberra'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 Canberra'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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canberra - Total persons (Enumerated) | 2021 | 2016 | Change | ||||
| Five year age groups (years) | Number | % | Australian Capital Territory % | Number | % | Australian Capital Territory % | 2016 to 2021 |
| 0 to 4 | 26,603 | 5.9 | 5.9 | 26,645 | 6.7 | 6.7 | -42 |
| 5 to 9 | 28,998 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 25,369 | 6.4 | 6.4 | +3,629 |
| 10 to 14 | 27,005 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 22,253 | 5.6 | 5.6 | +4,752 |
| 15 to 19 | 26,482 | 5.9 | 5.9 | 24,700 | 6.2 | 6.2 | +1,782 |
| 20 to 24 | 34,507 | 7.6 | 7.6 | 31,361 | 7.9 | 7.9 | +3,146 |
| 25 to 29 | 39,221 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 32,288 | 8.2 | 8.2 | +6,933 |
| 30 to 34 | 38,400 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 33,659 | 8.5 | 8.5 | +4,741 |
| 35 to 39 | 37,177 | 8.2 | 8.2 | 30,250 | 7.6 | 7.6 | +6,927 |
| 40 to 44 | 31,995 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 28,293 | 7.1 | 7.1 | +3,702 |
| 45 to 49 | 29,285 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 26,687 | 6.7 | 6.7 | +2,598 |
| 50 to 54 | 26,765 | 5.9 | 5.9 | 24,643 | 6.2 | 6.2 | +2,122 |
| 55 to 59 | 23,689 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 22,368 | 5.7 | 5.7 | +1,321 |
| 60 to 64 | 21,061 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 18,823 | 4.8 | 4.8 | +2,238 |
| 65 to 69 | 18,110 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 16,684 | 4.2 | 4.2 | +1,426 |
| 70 to 74 | 16,765 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 11,697 | 3.0 | 3.0 | +5,068 |
| 75 to 79 | 11,505 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 8,191 | 2.1 | 2.1 | +3,314 |
| 80 to 84 | 7,535 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 5,743 | 1.5 | 1.5 | +1,792 |
| 85 and over | 7,200 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 6,107 | 1.5 | 1.5 | +1,093 |
| Total population | 452,303 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 395,761 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +56,542 |
Dominant groups
Analysis of the five year age groups of Canberra in 2021 compared to Australian Capital Territory shows that there was a similar proportion of people in the younger age groups (under 15) as well as a similar proportion of people in the older age groups (65+).
Overall, 18.3% of the population was aged between 0 and 15, and 13.5% were aged 65 years and over, compared with 18.3% and 13.5% respectively for Australian Capital Territory.
There were no major differences between Canberra and Australian Capital Territory in 2021.
Emerging groups
From 2016 to 2021, Canberra's population increased by 56,542 people (14.3%). This represents an average annual population change of 2.71% per year over the period.
The largest changes in age structure in this area between 2016 and 2021 were in the age groups:
- 25 to 29 (+6,933 persons)
- 35 to 39 (+6,927 persons)
- 70 to 74 (+5,068 persons)
- 10 to 14 (+4,752 persons)
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