Life expectancy climbs
Life expectancy figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) last week reportedly reveal the highest estimates ever recorded in Australia. The ABS’ Deaths, Australia 2011 publication shows life expectancy figures continued to increase over a 10 year period, ending last year.
Life expectancy figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) last week reportedly reveal the highest estimates ever recorded in Australia.
The ABS’ Deaths, Australia 2011 publication shows life expectancy figures continued to increase over a 10 year period, ending last year.
Director of ABS Demography, Bjorn Jarvis, said: “Under current estimates, a boy born today could expect to live 79.7 years while a girl could expect to live 84.2.”
He added a male aged 65 years could expect to live a further 19 years and female a further 22 years.
“Comparatively, Australia is doing really well. Our male and female combined life expectancy figure of 81.4 years is higher than the rate in the UK, Canada, New Zealand and the USA, according to United Nations estimates,” Mr Jarvis said.
Of the states and territories, life expectancy is highest in the Australian Capital Territory with 81 years for males and 84.8 years for females. The lowest life expectancy is reportedly in the Northern Territory with 74.9 years for males and 80.5 years for females.
The standardised death rate is the lowest ever recorded, falling to 5.6 deaths per 1,000 people last year from 6.6 deaths in 2001.
There were 146,900 deaths registered in Australia last year, resulting in a record high number.
For more information, visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.
