1367.5 - Western Australian Statistical Indicators, Sep 2001  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 11/10/2001   
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MEDIA RELEASE

October 11, 2001
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
128/2001

WA - A century of major population changes

Western Australia's population underwent dramatic change during the twentieth century, according to a special Centenary of Federation report released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The population increased tenfold in size and, due to falling birth and death rates, also aged significantly.

The special report contained in the publication Western Australian Statistical Indicators, September Quarter 2001 traces shifts in the profile of Western Australia's population since 1901, including changes in fertility, life expectancy, mortality, marriage, divorce and migration. It shows that:

In 1901 . . . . . By the end of the century . . . . .
  • The estimated resident population was 189,000 or 5 per cent of Australia's population.
  • The estimated resident population had increased to 1.9 million or 10 per cent of Australia's population.
  • The population was much younger, with 25 per cent aged 25-34 and only 8 per cent aged 50 years and over.
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  • The population was much older, with only 15 per cent aged 25-34 and 26 per cent aged 50 years and over.
  • Men outnumbered women by three to two.
  • The ratio of men to women was almost equal (101.2 males to 100 females).
  • The crude marriage rate was 9.7 registered marriages per 1,000 of the estimated resident population.
  • The crude marriage rate was 5.5 registered marriages per 1,000 of the estimated resident population after a noticeable decline over the last three decades.
  • The crude birth rate was 30.4 births per 1,000 of the estimated resident population.
  • The crude birth rate was 13.4 births per 1,000 of the estimated resident population.
  • Life expectancy at birth was 51.4 years for males and 56.5 years for females.
  • Life expectancy at birth had increased to 76.4 years for males and 82.1 years for females.
  • The crude death rate was 13.4 deaths per 1,000 of the estimated resident population.
  • The crude death rate was 5.9 deaths per 1,000 of the estimated resident population.
  • For every 1,000 live births, there were 129 deaths of children under 12 months of age.
  • For every 1,000 live births, there were fewer than 5 deaths of children under 12 months of age.

A second report provides estimates of private new capital expenditure in Western Australia classified by Australian-owned and majority-foreign-owned businesses for the financial years 1997-1998 to 1999-2000. The publication also tracks key economic developments in Western Australia, including State final demand, the Consumer Price Index, consumption, private new capital expenditure, business expectations, construction, finance, mineral exploration, tourism and the labour market.

Full details are in Western Australian Statistical Indicators, September Quarter 2001 (cat. no. 1367.5). If you wish to purchase a copy of this publication contact the ABS bookshop in your capital city.