JOURNAL OF FACTS
Population growth
For the year ending 31 March 2008, the population of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) increased by 4,600 people, bringing the preliminary estimated resident population to 342,700. The annual growth rate was 1.4%, which was below the national average of 1.6%.
Natural increase accounted for 68% (3,100 persons) of the population growth, Net interstate migration accounted for 4% (190 persons) and Net overseas migration 28% (1,300 persons).
Families and work
In 2007, 71% of all couple families with children aged under 15 years in the ACT had both parents employed, 11 percentage points above the national average (60%). The ACT had the highest rate of employment among lone parents with children aged under 15 years (73%) in 2007, well above the national average of 55%.
Divorces
There were 1,333 divorces granted in the ACT in 2007, down 11% from 2006. Nationally the decline was 7%. (Note: Divorces granted in the ACT also includes applicants from other states, particularly New South Wales and Victoria, and are not limited to persons who usually reside in the ACT).
The median length of marriage to separation for the ACT was 9.6 years, compared to the national median of 8.9 years; the median length of marriage to divorce was 12.9 years, compared to the national median of 12.6 years.
Joint applicants represented the highest proportion of all applicants for divorce at 43.7%, while sole males represented 24.4% and sole females represented 31.8% of all applicants.
Sources
Australian Demographic Statistics, Mar 2008 (cat. no. 3101.0).
Divorces, Australia, 2007 (cat. no. 3307.0.55.001).
ABS data available on request, Labour Force Survey.
ABS data available on request, Survey of Income and Housing.
