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LEARN MORE ABOUT .idIn 2021, Canberra had similar proportion of children (under 18) and a lower proportion of persons aged 60 or older than Victoria.
The Age Structure of Canberra provides key insights into the level of demand for age based services and facilities such as child care. It is an indicator of Canberra'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 Canberra'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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canberra - Total persons (Usual residence) | 2021 | 2011 | Change | ||||
| Service age group (years) | Number | % | Victoria % | Number | % | Victoria % | 2011 to 2021 |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 26,660 | 5.9 | 5.8 | 23,765 | 6.7 | 6.4 | +2,895 |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 40,499 | 8.9 | 8.6 | 29,713 | 8.3 | 8.5 | +10,786 |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 30,219 | 6.7 | 7.0 | 26,078 | 7.3 | 7.5 | +4,141 |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 45,972 | 10.1 | 8.5 | 41,332 | 11.6 | 9.6 | +4,640 |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 77,634 | 17.1 | 15.0 | 58,092 | 16.3 | 14.2 | +19,542 |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 98,521 | 21.7 | 20.5 | 77,374 | 21.7 | 21.4 | +21,147 |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 50,780 | 11.2 | 12.2 | 43,695 | 12.3 | 12.5 | +7,085 |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 39,928 | 8.8 | 10.5 | 31,028 | 8.7 | 9.7 | +8,900 |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 36,493 | 8.0 | 9.7 | 20,638 | 5.8 | 8.1 | +15,855 |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 7,180 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 4,862 | 1.4 | 2.0 | +2,318 |
| Total | 453,886 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 356,577 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +97,309 |
Dominant groups
Analysis of the service age groups of Canberra 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 Canberra 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 2011 to 2021, Canberra's population increased by 97,309 people (27.3%). This represents an average annual population change of 2.44% per year over the period.
The largest changes in the age structure in this area between 2011 and 2021 were in the age groups:
- Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) (+21,147 people)
- Young workforce (25 to 34) (+19,542 people)
- Seniors (70 to 84) (+15,855 people)
- Primary schoolers (5 to 11) (+10,786 people)
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