3101.0 - Australian Demographic Statistics, Dec 2005  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 02/06/2006   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All

MEDIA RELEASE

June 02, 2006
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
49/2006

Births up: ABS

The number of births in Australia in 2005 was the highest recorded since 1992, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

There were 261,400 births registered in the year ended 31 December 2005, an increase of 2.4% (or 6,200 babies) on 2004. The number of deaths registered was 130,600, a 1.8% reduction on the numbers of deaths registered in 2004.

More births and less deaths, during the 2005 calendar year, pushed the natural increase (the excess of births over deaths) of Australia's population to its highest level in 11 years. Australia's natural increase was 130,800 people, an increase of 7% (or 8,600 people) on the 2004 figure (122,200).

The Australian population grew by 242,300 (or 1.2%) during the year ended 31 December 2005. Natural increase contributed 54% and net overseas migration contributed 46% to this total, reaching just under 20.5 million people.

All states and territories gained population in 2005, with Queensland experiencing the largest percentage gain (1.9% or 74,800 people) and South Australia the lowest (0.6% or 9,900 people). Queensland's population now exceeds 4 million people.

The Northern Territory, having the second highest population growth rate for 2005, has experienced a large change over the last four years increasing from a growth rate of 0.1% in 2002 to 1.8% in 2005.

2006 Population Census is coming
National census figures form the basis of these population estimates. The next population census will be held on Tuesday 8 August this year. Census information is behind many of the decisions used by communities in the planning of basic services.

Further details about recent trends in Australia's population were released today in Australian Demographic Statistics, December quarter 2005 (cat. no. 3101.0).

Media Note: Natural increase is the excess of births over deaths.