ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER BIRTHS AND FERTILITY


There were 17,621 births (6% of all births) registered in Australia during 2011 where at least one parent reported themselves as being an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander on the birth registration form.

In 2011, the TFR for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women increased to 2.74 babies per woman from 2.57 babies per woman in 2010. Births to women aged under 30 years contributed to three-quarters (76%) of the total fertility rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in 2011, compared with less than half of the total fertility rate for all women (46%).

The median age of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who registered a birth in 2011 was 24.8 years, almost six years lower than the median age of all mothers (30.6 years). For more information see data cube Table 10: Births of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Summary, States and territories - 2006 to 2011.