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AustraliaCommunity profile

Australian Capital Territory

Service age groups

In 2021, Australian Capital Territory had similar proportion of children (under 18) and a lower proportion of persons aged 60 or older than Victoria.

The Age Structure of Australian Capital Territory provides key insights into the level of demand for age based services and facilities such as child care. It is an indicator of Australian Capital 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 Australian Capital 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
Australian Capital Territory - Total persons (Usual residence)20212016Change
Service age group (years)Number%Victoria %Number%Victoria %2016 to 2021
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)26,6605.95.826,7826.76.3-122
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)40,4998.98.634,7618.88.6+5,738
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)30,2196.77.026,1876.66.9+4,032
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)45,97210.18.542,53210.79.5+3,440
Young workforce (25 to 34)77,63417.115.066,00816.615.0+11,626
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)98,52121.720.584,82221.420.4+13,699
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)50,78011.212.246,70511.812.4+4,075
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)39,9288.810.536,3809.210.3+3,548
Seniors (70 to 84)36,4938.09.726,5116.78.5+9,982
Elderly aged (85 and over)7,1801.62.26,1551.62.2+1,025
Total453,886100.0100.0396,843100.0100.0+57,043
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

Dominant groups

Analysis of the service age groups of Australian Capital Territory in 2021 compared to Victoria shows that there was a similar 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, 21.5% of the population was aged between 0 and 17, and 18.4% were aged 60 years and over, compared with 21.4% and 22.4% respectively for Victoria.

The major differences between the age structure of Australian Capital Territory and Victoria were:

  • A larger percentage of 'Young workforce' (17.1% compared to 15.0%)
  • A larger percentage of 'Tertiary education & independence' (10.1% compared to 8.5%)
  • A smaller percentage of 'Empty nesters and retirees' (8.8% compared to 10.5%)
  • A smaller percentage of 'Seniors' (8.0% compared to 9.7%)

Emerging groups

From 2016 to 2021, Australian Capital Territory's population increased by 57,043 people (14.4%). This represents an average annual population change of 2.72% per year over the period.

The largest changes in the age structure in this area between 2016 and 2021 were in the age groups:

  • Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) (+13,699 people)
  • Young workforce (25 to 34) (+11,626 people)
  • Seniors (70 to 84) (+9,982 people)
  • Primary schoolers (5 to 11) (+5,738 people)

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