CHANGING LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
Children
The number of children aged 0-14 years in Australia is projected to increase from 4.1 million in 2006 to 5.1 million in 2031.
In Series I and II, the number of children in two-parent families is projected to increase more than the number of children in one-parent families. The number of children in two-parent families is projected to increase by 814,900 (Series I) and 658,300 (Series II) children, from 3.3 million in 2006 to 4.1 and 3.9 million in 2031. The number of children in one-parent families is projected to increase by 183,800 (Series I) and 342,700 (Series II), from 756,800 in 2006 to 940,600 and 1.1 million in 2031.
Alternatively, Series III projects the number of children living in one-parent families to increase by 683,200 (to reach 1.4 million by 2031), which is more than the projected increase of 320,700 children living in two-parent families (to reach 3.6 million by 2031).
Young adults
The ages 15-34 years are of particular importance in household and family formation. In 2006, 2.5 million 15-34 year olds (43% of all 15-34 year olds) lived with either one or both of their parents, 1.3 million (22%) were parents themselves and 872,800 (15%) were partners in couple families without children.
The number of young adults living with one or both of their parents is projected to increase to between 3.0 and 3.2 million people by 2031, representing 42% to 44% of all people aged 15-34 years, similar to the proportion in 2006.
In Series I and II, the number of young adults who are parents themselves is projected to increase by 346,000 and 76,600 people respectively, to reach 1.6 and 1.3 million in 2031, representing 22% and 18% of young adults. In Series III, the number is projected to decrease by 313,800 to reach 936,600 people in 2031, representing 13% of young adults.
A further 1.1 to 1.4 million people are projected to be living as partners in couple families without children in 2031, accounting for between 15% and 19% of all people aged 15-34 years.
Older people (aged 75 years and over)
In 2006 there were 1.3 million people aged 75 years and over in Australia, representing 6% of the total population. Over the period 2006 to 2031, this number is projected to more than double, to 2.9 million people (10% of Australia's population).
In 2006, 43% (548,500 people) of older Australians were living with a partner; most of these (39%) were partners in couple only families while 4% were partners in couple families with children. People living alone accounted for a further 31% (400,500) of older Australians while 13% (168,600) lived in non-private dwellings.
By 2031, the number of older Australians living with a partner is projected to increase to between 1.2 and 1.5 million people (42% and 52% of all people aged 75 years and over, respectively). The number of people living alone is projected to increase to between 841,800 and 901,800, accounting for between 29% and 31% of older Australians, while the number of people living in non-private dwellings is projected to increase to between 285,400 and 403,400 people, or 10% to 14% of older Australians.
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