3236.0 - Household and Family Projections, Australia, 2006 to 2031 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 08/06/2010   
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MEDIA RELEASE
June 8, 2010
Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra Time)
69/2010

4 million more households in 25 years: ABS
The number of households in Australia is projected to increase by up to 4 million over the next 25 years, according to projections released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This is an increase from 7.8 million households in 2006 to up to 11.8 million in 2031.

Family households are projected to show the largest increase and to remain the most common household type in Australia. The number of family households is projected to increase by as many as 2.4 million households, from 5.6 million in 2006 to up to 8.0 million in 2031.

Couple only families are projected to increase the most rapidly of all types of families over the next 25 years. If recent trends continue, couple only families will overtake the number of couple families with children, in either 2013 or 2014. This is mainly related to the ageing of the population, with baby boomers becoming 'empty nesters'.

The number of Australians living alone is projected to have the most rapid increase of all household types, increasing by up to 91% over the next 25 years to 3.6 million by 2031. The rapid increase of people living alone is mainly related to the ageing of the population.

More details, including an explanation behind the assumptions used, and data for states and territories, are available in Household and Family Projections, Australia, 2006 to 2031 (cat. no. 3236.0).

Media note:

These projections are based on three alternative assumptions about changes in people's future living arrangements which are applied to a projected population. Australia's population is assumed to reach 28.8 million people by 2031.