3302.0 - Deaths, Australia, 2014 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 12/11/2015   
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DEATH RATES


Crude death rates

Given the ageing of Australia's population, the overall decline in the crude death rate indicates a considerable decline in age-specific death rates over the 2004 to 2014 period. In 2014, the crude death rate was 6.5 per 1,000 population, decreasing from 6.6 in 2004. For detailed data on mortality rates, see data cube Table 2: Death rates, Summary, States and territories - 2004 to 2014, from the Downloads tab.


Age-specific death rates

In 2014, people aged 1-4 years, 5-9 years and 10-14 years had the lowest age-specific death rates (ASDR) in Australia. ASDRs begin to increase from around 15 years of age. For nearly all age groups, ASDRs are higher for males than for females. The exceptions are for the age groups between 5-9 years and 10-14 years, where the ASDRs are the same.

Age-specific death rates for males increase gradually until around age 55-59 years, after which they begin to increase more quickly throughout the older age groups. Age-specific death rates for females aged 15-59 years are relatively low and constant. Steady increases in female ASDRs are evident beyond 60-64 years of age and continue throughout the older age groups.


Standardised death rates

Australia

During 2004 to 2014, the standardised death rate (SDR) for Australia declined, while showing some small fluctuations. In 2014, the SDR was 5.5 deaths per 1,000 standard population, down from 6.4 in 2004 and up from 5.4 in 2013. The SDRs for males and females also declined during the period, again with some small fluctuations (see graph 1.3).

Graph Image for 1.3 STANDARDISED DEATH RATES(a), Australia - 1976 to 2014

Footnote(s): (a) Deaths per 1,000 standard population. Standardised death rates use the age distribution of total persons in the Australian population at 30 June 2001 as the standard population.

Source(s): Deaths, Australia (3302.0).



States and territories

In 2014, the Northern Territory had the highest SDR (8.1 deaths per 1,000 standard population). Tasmania recorded the second highest SDR (6.4). The Australian Capital Territory had the lowest SDR (4.9).

Over the past 10 years, SDRs declined in all states and territories. Queensland and New South Wales experienced the largest declines (falling by 1.1 and 1.0 deaths per 1,000 standard population respectively). These declines were followed by Victoria (falling 0.9), Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory (each falling 0.8), South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory (each falling 0.7) (see graph 1.4).

Graph Image for 1.4 STANDARDISED DEATH RATES(a), States and territories - 2004 and 2014

Footnote(s): (a) Deaths per 1,000 standard population. Standardised death rates use the age distribution of total persons in the Australian population at 30 June 2001 as the standard population.

Source(s): Deaths, Australia (3302.0)



Remoteness areas

In 2014, the standardised death rate was lowest in Australia's Major Cities, with 5.3 deaths per 1,000 standard population, followed by Inner Regional (5.9), Outer Regional and Remote (each 6.1) and Very Remote (7.8).

Infant mortality shows a similar pattern. In 2014, the infant mortality rate was lowest in Major Cities (3.1 deaths per 1,000 live births) and highest in Very Remote areas (7.9 deaths per 1,000 live births). For detailed data, see data cube Table 7: Deaths, Summary, Remoteness Areas - 2009 to 2014, from the Downloads tab.