MEDIA RELEASE
19 March 2015	Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra time)	37/2015

The number of households in Australia is projected to increase by 4.3 million over the next 25 years, according to projections released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This is an increase from 8.4 million households in 2011 to up to 12.7 million in 2036.

"Couple only families are projected to experience the largest increase of all types of families over the next 25 years." said Denise Carlton from the ABS. "They are projected to increase by up to 64 per cent from 2011 to reach up to 3.8 million families in 2036.

"This is mainly related to the ageing of the population, with baby boomers becoming 'empty nesters'."

Family households are projected to remain the most common household type in Australia, making up nearly 70 per cent of households in 2036. The number of family households is projected to increase by as many as 2.8 million households, from 6.0 million in 2011 to up to 8.8 million in 2036.

"The number of Australians living alone is projected to have the most rapid increase of all household types, increasing by up to 65 per cent over the next 25 years to 3.4 million by 2036," said Ms Carlton. "Again, the rapid increase of people living alone is mainly related to the population ageing."

More details, including an explanation behind the assumptions used, and data for states and territories, are in Household and Family Projections, Australia, 2011 to 2036 (cat. no. 3236.0) available for free download from the ABS website - https://www.abs.gov.au.

Media Note:

• These projections are based on three alternative assumptions about changes in people's future living arrangements which are applied to a projected population. Australia's population is assumed to reach 32.4 million people by 2036.
• When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
• Media requests and interviews - contact the ABS Communications Section on 1300 175 070.