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LEARN MORE ABOUT .idIn 2021, Northern Territory had higher proportion of children (under 18) and a lower proportion of persons aged 60 or older than Regional Australia.
The Age Structure of Northern Territory provides key insights into the level of demand for age based services and facilities such as child care. It is an indicator of Northern Territory'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 Northern Territory'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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Territory - Total persons (Usual residence) | 2021 | 2006 | Change | ||||
| Service age group (years) | Number | % | Regional Australia % | Number | % | Regional Australia % | 2006 to 2021 |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 16,224 | 7.0 | 5.4 | 15,802 | 8.3 | 6.3 | +422 |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 23,420 | 10.1 | 8.7 | 22,414 | 11.7 | 9.9 | +1,006 |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 17,795 | 7.7 | 7.5 | 18,133 | 9.5 | 8.8 | -338 |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 21,437 | 9.2 | 7.5 | 20,220 | 10.6 | 8.2 | +1,217 |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 42,894 | 18.4 | 12.0 | 31,681 | 16.6 | 11.5 | +11,213 |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 50,875 | 21.9 | 18.1 | 44,851 | 23.5 | 21.5 | +6,024 |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 27,991 | 12.0 | 13.1 | 22,197 | 11.6 | 13.5 | +5,794 |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 19,586 | 8.4 | 13.0 | 10,416 | 5.5 | 9.8 | +9,170 |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 11,225 | 4.8 | 12.3 | 4,601 | 2.4 | 8.8 | +6,624 |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 1,157 | 0.5 | 2.4 | 572 | 0.3 | 1.7 | +585 |
| Total | 232,604 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 190,887 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +41,717 |
Dominant groups
Analysis of the service age groups of Northern Territory in 2021 compared to Regional Australia shows that there was a higher proportion of people in the younger age groups (0 to 17 years) and a lower proportion of people in the older age groups (60+ years).
Overall, 24.7% of the population was aged between 0 and 17, and 13.7% were aged 60 years and over, compared with 21.6% and 27.7% respectively for Regional Australia.
The major differences between the age structure of Northern Territory and Regional Australia were:
- A larger percentage of 'Young workforce' (18.4% compared to 12.0%)
- A larger percentage of 'Parents and homebuilders' (21.9% compared to 18.1%)
- A smaller percentage of 'Seniors' (4.8% compared to 12.3%)
- A smaller percentage of 'Empty nesters and retirees' (8.4% compared to 13.0%)
Emerging groups
From 2006 to 2021, Northern Territory's population increased by 41,717 people (21.9%). This represents an average annual population change of 1.33% per year over the period.
The largest changes in the age structure in this area between 2006 and 2021 were in the age groups:
- Young workforce (25 to 34) (+11,213 people)
- Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) (+9,170 people)
- Seniors (70 to 84) (+6,624 people)
- Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) (+6,024 people)
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