DEATH RATES


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 2003 to 2013 period. In 2013, the crude death rate was 6.4 per 1,000 population, decreasing from 6.7 in 2003. For detailed data on mortality rates, see data cube Table 2: Death rates, Summary, States and territories - 2003 to 2013, from the Downloads tab.


Age-specific death rates

In 2013, people aged 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 1-14 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

The standardised death rate (SDR) for Australia decreased to 5.4 deaths per 1,000 standard population in 2013, down from 5.5 in 2012 and 6.5 in 2003 (see graph 1.3).



States and territories

In 2013, the Northern Territory had the highest SDR (8.3 deaths per 1,000 standard population). Tasmania recorded the second highest SDR (6.5). The Australian Capital Territory had the lowest SDR (4.8).

Over the past 10 years, SDRs declined in all states and territories. Victoria and South Australia experienced the largest declines (each falling by 1.2 deaths per 1,000 standard population). These declines were followed by New South Wales, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (each falling 1.1), Queensland and Western Australia (each falling 1.0) and Tasmania (falling 0.9 deaths per 1,000 standard population) (see graph 1.4).



Remoteness areas

In 2013, the standardised death rate was lowest in Australia's Major Cities, with 5.4 deaths per 1,000 standard population, followed by Inner Regional (6.0), Outer Regional (6.2), Remote (6.3) and Very Remote (7.8).

Infant mortality shows a similar pattern. In 2013, the infant mortality rate was lowest in Major Cities (3.1 deaths per 1,000 live births) and highest in Very Remote areas (8.7 deaths per 1,000 live births). For detailed data, see data cube Table 7: Deaths, Summary, Remoteness Areas - 2001 to 2013, from the Downloads tab.