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LEARN MORE ABOUT .idIn 2021, Greater Brisbane had higher proportion of children (under 18) and a higher proportion of persons aged 60 or older than Australian Capital Territory.
The Age Structure of Greater Brisbane provides key insights into the level of demand for age based services and facilities such as child care. It is an indicator of Greater Brisbane's residential role and function and how it is likely to change in the future.
Service age groups divide the population into age categories that reflect typical life-stages. They indicate the level of demand for services that target people at different stages in life and how that demand is changing.
To get a more complete picture Greater Brisbane'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 - Service age groups | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Brisbane - Total persons (Usual residence) | 2021 | 2001 | Change | ||||
| Service age group (years) | Number | % | Australian Capital Territory % | Number | % | Australian Capital Territory % | 2001 to 2021 |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 150,503 | 6.0 | 5.9 | 112,691 | 6.8 | 6.6 | +37,812 |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 233,007 | 9.2 | 8.9 | 168,587 | 10.1 | 10.0 | +64,420 |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 194,597 | 7.7 | 6.7 | 143,960 | 8.6 | 8.8 | +50,637 |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 237,800 | 9.4 | 10.1 | 176,643 | 10.6 | 11.6 | +61,157 |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 374,070 | 14.8 | 17.1 | 252,435 | 15.2 | 15.8 | +121,635 |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 529,340 | 21.0 | 21.7 | 368,409 | 22.1 | 23.1 | +160,931 |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 303,783 | 12.0 | 11.2 | 197,151 | 11.8 | 12.2 | +106,632 |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 243,008 | 9.6 | 8.8 | 112,741 | 6.8 | 6.0 | +130,267 |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 217,243 | 8.6 | 8.0 | 111,134 | 6.7 | 5.1 | +106,109 |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 42,879 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 20,584 | 1.2 | 0.8 | +22,295 |
| Total | 2,526,230 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 1,664,335 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +861,895 |
Dominant groups
Analysis of the service age groups of Greater Brisbane in 2021 compared to Australian Capital Territory shows that there was a higher proportion of people in the younger age groups (0 to 17 years) as well as a higher proportion of people in the older age groups (60+ years).
Overall, 22.9% of the population was aged between 0 and 17, and 19.9% were aged 60 years and over, compared with 21.5% and 18.4% respectively for Australian Capital Territory.
The major differences between the age structure of Greater Brisbane and Australian Capital Territory were:
- A larger percentage of 'Secondary schoolers' (7.7% compared to 6.7%)
- A larger percentage of 'Older workers & pre-retirees' (12.0% compared to 11.2%)
- A larger percentage of 'Empty nesters and retirees' (9.6% compared to 8.8%)
- A smaller percentage of 'Young workforce' (14.8% compared to 17.1%)
Emerging groups
From 2001 to 2021, Greater Brisbane's population increased by 861,895 people (51.8%). This represents an average annual population change of 2.11% per year over the period.
The largest changes in the age structure in this area between 2001 and 2021 were in the age groups:
- Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) (+160,931 people)
- Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) (+130,267 people)
- Young workforce (25 to 34) (+121,635 people)
- Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) (+106,632 people)
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