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LEARN MORE ABOUT .idIn 2021, Queensland had higher proportion of children (under 18) and a higher proportion of persons aged 60 or older than Greater Melbourne.
The Age Structure of Queensland provides key insights into the level of demand for age based services and facilities such as child care. It is an indicator of Queensland'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 Queensland'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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland - Total persons (Enumerated) | 2021 | 1991 | Change | ||||
| Service age group (years) | Number | % | Greater Melbourne % | Number | % | Greater Melbourne % | 1991 to 2021 |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 293,126 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 221,471 | 7.5 | 7.3 | +71,655 |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 466,541 | 9.0 | 8.7 | 316,848 | 10.7 | 9.7 | +149,693 |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 398,801 | 7.7 | 6.9 | 275,419 | 9.3 | 8.6 | +123,382 |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 445,051 | 8.6 | 9.0 | 334,094 | 11.2 | 12.4 | +110,957 |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 702,966 | 13.5 | 16.1 | 464,250 | 15.6 | 16.9 | +238,716 |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,029,390 | 19.8 | 21.5 | 621,812 | 20.9 | 21.4 | +407,578 |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 652,813 | 12.6 | 11.9 | 267,519 | 9.0 | 9.1 | +385,294 |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 577,248 | 11.1 | 9.4 | 246,872 | 8.3 | 7.6 | +330,376 |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 531,558 | 10.2 | 8.5 | 199,718 | 6.7 | 6.1 | +331,840 |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 98,243 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 23,699 | 0.8 | 0.9 | +74,544 |
| Total | 5,195,737 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 2,971,702 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +2,224,035 |
Dominant groups
Analysis of the service age groups of Queensland in 2021 compared to Greater Melbourne 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, 22.3% of the population was aged between 0 and 17, and 23.2% were aged 60 years and over, compared with 21.6% and 20.0% respectively for Greater Melbourne.
The major differences between the age structure of Queensland and Greater Melbourne were:
- A larger percentage of 'Empty nesters and retirees' (11.1% compared to 9.4%)
- A larger percentage of 'Seniors' (10.2% compared to 8.5%)
- A smaller percentage of 'Young workforce' (13.5% compared to 16.1%)
- A smaller percentage of 'Parents and homebuilders' (19.8% compared to 21.5%)
Emerging groups
From 1991 to 2021, Queensland's population increased by 2,224,035 people (74.8%). This represents an average annual population change of 1.88% per year over the period.
The largest changes in the age structure in this area between 1991 and 2021 were in the age groups:
- Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) (+407,578 people)
- Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) (+385,294 people)
- Seniors (70 to 84) (+331,840 people)
- Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) (+330,376 people)
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