3201.0 - Population by Age and Sex, Australian States and Territories, Jun 2004  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 17/12/2004   
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MEDIA RELEASE

December 17, 2004
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
174/2004

Animated Population Pyramid launched on ABS web site - We're getting older

A powerful on-line illustration of the impact of declining fertility since the 1970's, increasing longevity and the ageing of the population as baby boomers approach retirement was launched today on the ABS web site.

Linked to today's population figures release, the Animated Population Pyramid for Australia illustrates the changing age structure of Australia's population over 1971 to 2050.

"The animated population pyramid will be particularly useful to illustrate the dynamics of Australia's population to high school and university students as well as policy makers", said ABS Director of Demography, Patrick Corr.

Click here to view the the Animated Population Pyramid.

WE'RE GETTING OLDER

Australia's population continues to age due to sustained low levels of fertility and increasing life expectancy, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The median age (the age at which half the population is older and half is younger) of the Australian population has increased 5.9 years over the last two decades. South Australia recorded the oldest population of all the states and territories with a median age of 38.5 years.

In the twenty years between June 1984 and June 2004, the proportion of population aged 15-64 years has remained relatively stable, increasing from 66% to 67% of the total population. The proportion of people aged 65 years and over has increased from 10% to 13%. During the same period, the proportion of the population aged 85 years and over has increased by 163%, however the proportion aged under 15 years decreased from 24% to 20%.

At June 2004, the Australian resident population reached 20.1 million people, increasing by 238,700 people (1.2%) over the past 12 months.

More details are available in Population by Age and Sex, Australian States and Territories (cat. no. 3201.0)