3101.0 - Australian Demographic Statistics, Dec 2006  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 05/06/2007   
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MEDIA RELEASE

June 5, 2007
Embargoed 11.30 am (AEST)
63/2007
New ABS population estimates show births second highest and deaths highest on record

Figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that the number of births registered last year was the second highest on record. There was a total of 265,900 births, up 0.3% on 2005. This was only surpassed by the 276,400 births registered in 1971.

In 2006 there was also the highest ever recorded number of registered deaths (133,900 deaths, up 2.1% on 2005).

There were 132,100 more births than deaths for the year ended 31 December 2006, which contributed to growth in Australia's population. Migration also increased Australia's population with preliminary net overseas migration figures accounting for an additional 147,700 people in the year ended 31 December 2006.

Australia's population reached 20,852,000 at 31 December 2006 (up 1.4% or 293,100 people since 31 December 2005).

These official population estimates were derived from the 2006 Census counts and other sources. The estimates include Australian residents temporarily overseas on Census Night plus an estimate of people not counted on Census Night. They exclude temporary overseas visitors in Australia. Official population estimates also take into account births, deaths and migration trends.

The Australian Statistician, Brian Pink, said that using assumptions based on recent population trends, and information from today's official population estimates, the ABS website Population Clock was expected to reach 21,000,000 on 29 June 2007. He cautioned that while the Population Clock was an illustration of the way the population changes, it was not a literal measure of the nation's population and should not be interpreted as such.

The first detailed results of the 2006 Census will be released on 27 June 2007.

Further details are in Australian Demographic Statistics, December Quarter 2006(cat. no. 3101.0).

Media Note:
The ABS has developed an improved method of estimating net overseas migration which has been introduced from September quarter 2006. For more information about this improved method see Information Paper: Statistical Implications of Improved Methods for Estimating Net Overseas Migration, Australia, 2007 (cat. no. 3107.0.55.005).