DEATH RATES


Crude death rates

In 2017, the crude death rate (CDR) in Australia decreased to 6.5 deaths per 1,000 population, from 6.6 in the previous year. During 2007 to 2017, CDRs have been relatively stable with the highest rate at 6.8 deaths per 1,000 population in 2008 and the lowest at 6.4 in 2013. For detailed data on mortality rates, see ABS.Stat Datasets - Deaths, Year of registration, Summary data, Sex, States, Territories and Australia and ABS.Stat Datasets - Deaths, Year of registration, Age at death, Age-specific death rates, Sex, States, Territories and Australia from the Downloads tab.


Age-specific death rates

In 2017, people aged 5-9 and 10-14 years had the lowest age-specific death rate (ASDR) in Australia (both 0.1 deaths per 1,000 population). ASDRs for the other age groups below 35-39 (except age 0) years were all under 1 death per 1,000 population. ASDRs begin to increase from 40-44 years, then more rapidly from 50-54 years.

For nearly all age groups, ASDRs were higher for males than for females. The exceptions were the 5-9 and 10-14 years age groups where the male and female ASDRs were the same, and 100 years and over where male ASDRs were slightly lower than females. ASDRs for males increase gradually until the age group 55-59 years, then they increase more quickly throughout the older age groups. ASDRs for females aged 15-49 years are relatively low and consistently under 2 deaths per 1,000 population. Steady increases in female ASDRs are evident beyond the 50-54 years age group, with rates increasing more rapidly with age.


Standardised death rates

Australia

In 2017, the standardised death rate (SDR) decreased slightly to 5.3 deaths per 1,000 standard population, following an SDR of 5.4 in 2016. For the period 2007 to 2017, the SDR declined, subject to small fluctuations, with SDRs for both males and females also showing a similar pattern (see graph 1.3).




States and territories

In 2017, the Northern Territory had the highest SDR (7.1 deaths per 1,000 standard population). Tasmania recorded the second highest SDR (6.3) followed by Australian Capital Territory (5.7), South Australia (5.6), Queensland (5.5), New South Wales (5.2) and Western Australia (5.1). Victoria had the lowest SDR (5.0).

Over the past ten years, SDRs declined in all states and territories, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory where an increase of 0.1 was recorded in the SDR. The Northern Territory experienced the largest decline (1.9 deaths per 1,000 standard population). This was followed by New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia (each falling by 0.8 deaths per 1,000). (see graph 1.4).



Remoteness areas

In 2017, the SDR was lowest in Australia's Major Cities, with 5.2 deaths per 1,000 standard population. ASDRs then increase with increasing remoteness.

Infant mortality shows a similar pattern. In 2017, the infant mortality rate was lowest in Major Cities (2.9 deaths per 1,000 live births) and highest in Very Remote areas (7.7 deaths per 1,000 live births). For detailed data, see data cube Deaths, Summary, Remoteness Areas - 2011 to 2017, from the Downloads tab.