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, South Australia had similar proportion of children (under 18) and a higher proportion of persons aged 60 or older than Greater Adelaide.
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 an indicator of South Australia'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 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 - Service age groups | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Australia - Total persons (Enumerated) | 2021 | 1991 | Change | ||||
| Service age group (years) | Number | % | Greater Adelaide % | Number | % | Greater Adelaide % | 1991 to 2021 |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 94,191 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 98,097 | 7.0 | 6.7 | -3,906 |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 145,482 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 140,498 | 10.0 | 9.5 | +4,984 |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 123,145 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 118,761 | 8.5 | 8.4 | +4,384 |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 147,776 | 8.3 | 8.9 | 153,130 | 10.9 | 11.6 | -5,354 |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 234,722 | 13.2 | 14.0 | 224,698 | 16.1 | 16.2 | +10,024 |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 335,799 | 18.9 | 19.6 | 295,856 | 21.1 | 21.2 | +39,943 |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 228,079 | 12.9 | 12.5 | 128,040 | 9.2 | 9.0 | +100,039 |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 212,571 | 12.0 | 11.1 | 122,570 | 8.8 | 8.7 | +90,001 |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 204,291 | 11.5 | 10.7 | 103,881 | 7.4 | 7.5 | +100,410 |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 47,195 | 2.7 | 2.6 | 13,556 | 1.0 | 1.0 | +33,639 |
| Total | 1,773,251 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 1,399,087 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +374,164 |
Dominant groups
Analysis of the service age groups of South Australia in 2021 compared to Greater Adelaide shows that there was a similar proportion of people in the younger age groups (0 to 17 years) and a higher proportion of people in the older age groups (60+ years).
Overall, 20.5% of the population was aged between 0 and 17, and 26.2% were aged 60 years and over, compared with 20.7% and 24.4% respectively for Greater Adelaide.
The major differences between the age structure of South Australia and Greater Adelaide were:
- A larger percentage of 'Empty nesters and retirees' (12.0% compared to 11.1%)
- A larger percentage of 'Seniors' (11.5% compared to 10.7%)
Emerging groups
From 1991 to 2021, South Australia's population increased by 374,164 people (26.7%). This represents an average annual population change of 0.79% per year over the period.
The largest changes in the age structure in this area between 1991 and 2021 were in the age groups:
- Seniors (70 to 84) (+100,410 people)
- Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) (+100,039 people)
- Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) (+90,001 people)
- Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) (+39,943 people)
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.