4409.3 - Ageing Well, Queensland, 2005  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 28/07/2005   
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Contents >> Population

A population can be described in terms of the wellbeing of its members and the resources needed to sustain and enhance their wellbeing. Analysing changes in population size, composition and distribution can help in developing strategies to meet changing needs and to enhance people's wellbeing.

LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH
One of the main indicators of wellbeing in an individual is their health. Good health can positively affect individuals, families and communities. One of the key indicators of the health of a population is life expectancy.

Australians have an average life expectancy at birth which compares well with that experienced in other developed nations.

Life expectancy at birth in Australia has increased substantially since 1881-90. In 1881-90 the life expectancy for males was 47 years and females 51 years. By 2002, it had risen to 77 years for males and 83 years for females.

1.1 LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH, Selected years - Australia
Graph, LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH by sex from 1881 to 2002, Australia


EXPECTATION OF LIFE
Expectation of life at birth increases with age. For example, males born in 1970-72 had a life expectancy of 67.6 years. Males born in 1970-72 who were still alive in 2002-03, could now expect to live until 79.1 years.

The same is true for females. At birth in 1970-72 their life expectancy was 74.3 years but thirty years later, in 2002-03, their life expectancy had increased to 83.7

1.2 EXPECTATION OF LIFE IN YEARS, Selected ages - Queensland
1970-72
2002-03
Selected ages
Males
Females
Males
Females
0
67.6
74.3
77.6
82.8
10
59.4
65.9
68.2
73.3
20
50.5
56.2
58.5
63.4
30
40.9
46.6
49.1
53.7
40
31.7
37.2
39.7
43.9
50
23.1
28.3
30.4
34.5
60
15.8
20.1
21.7
25.3
70
n.a.
n.a.
14.1
16.9
80
n.a.
n.a.
8.0
9.7
90
n.a.
n.a.
4.2
4.9
100
n.a.
n.a.
2.6
2.9
n.a. Not applicable.

Sources: ABS data available on request, Deaths, 2002-03, Australia. (cat. no. 3302.0) & Queensland Yearbook, 1977, (cat. no. 1301.3).



LIFE EXPECTANCY AT 50
During the years 1881-90, life expectancy at 50 for females was 72.1 years and for males 69.7 years. The difference between male and female life expectancy widened after the 1940s until the mid 1980s. In 2000-02, life expectancy at 50 for females was 84.2 and for males 80.1.

1.3 LIFE EXPECTANCY AT 50 YEARS OF AGE, Selected years - Australia
Graph, LIFE EXPECTANCY AT 50 YEARS OF AGE by sex from 1881 to 2002, Australia



ESTIMATED RESIDENT POPULATION
The size, composition or geographic distribution of a population is important because any changes present a large number of issues concerned with meeting economic and social needs.

Over the past 30 years (to June 2004), the estimated resident population of Queensland increased by 93% (1,873,700 persons). The number of persons aged 50 years and over increased by 146% (673,100).

In June 1974, 23% (459,700) of the population were 50 years and over. By June 2004, there were 1,132,800 persons aged 50 years and over accounting for 29% of the population.

Over the twenty years from June 1974 to June 1994, the proportions of males and females aged 50 years and over resident in Queensland increased for both sexes from 22% to 23% for males and from 24% to 25% for females. Over the last ten years, the proportion increased to 28% for males and 30% for females in June 2004.

1.4 ESTIMATED RESIDENT POPULATION, by age - Queensland
June 1974
%
June 1984
%
June 1994
%
June 2004(a)
%
MALES
0-49 years
78.4
78.1
76.7
71.6
50-64 years
13.9
13.4
13.5
17.4
65-79 years
6.6
7.3
8.2
8.7
80 years and over
1.1
1.2
1.6
2.3
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
50 years and over
21.6
21.9
23.3
28.4
FEMALES
0-49 years
75.8
75.4
74.8
70.1
50-64 years
14.2
13.3
12.9
17.0
65-79 years
8.0
8.9
9.3
9.1
80 years and over
2.0
2.4
3.0
3.8
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
50 years and over
24.2
24.6
25.2
29.9
PERSONS
0-49 years
77.1
76.8
75.8
70.8
50-64 years
14.1
13.3
13.2
17.2
65-79 years
7.3
8.1
8.7
8.9
80 years and over
1.5
1.8
2.3
3.0
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
50 years and over
22.9
23.2
24.2
29.2
Total persons ('000)
2,008.3
2,523.9
3,187.1
3,882.0
(a) Preliminary data

Source: ABS data available on request, Population by Age and Sex, Australian States and Territories (cat. no. 3201.0).



POPULATION PROJECTIONS
Population projections are based on a combination of assumptions on future levels in births, deaths and migration to arrive at the size, structure and distribution of Queensland's population into the future.

Projections show that the change in the age profile of the population, with a fall in proportion of younger people and growing proportion of older people, is expected to continue. Comparisons with other countries show that the ageing trend is a common experience among similarly developed countries. As the later stages of life have been associated with low income and high demands for health and community care, governments perceive a need to help maintain living standards.

The proportion of persons aged 50 years and over in Queensland is projected to continue to increase into the middle of this century. The most obvious trend is the steady decrease in proportion of persons aged 49 years or younger. In 2006, persons aged 0-49 years will account for 70% of the total population. By 2051, this age group is expected to account for 54% of the total population.

Over the same period, persons in the two oldest age groups (65-79 years and 80 years and over) will increase their representation in the total population. The strongest growth in the proportion of persons aged 65-79 years will occur between the year 2006, when they will account for 9%, and the year 2026, when they will account for 15% of the total population. Persons of this age group will account for 17% of the population in 2051.

The proportion of persons aged 80 years and over is expected to increase slowly between the years 2006 to 2021, then experience stronger growth from the year 2026 to 2051. This age group will account for 4% of the total population in 2021 and 10% in 2051.
      1.5 POPULATION PROJECTIONS, Selected years - Queensland
Graph, POPULATION PROJECTIONS by age group from 2006 to 2051, Queensland



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FURTHER INFORMATION

ABS Sources

3105.0.65.001 Australian Historical Population Statistics
Contains information on a wide range of historical time series demographic data going back as far, where possible, as the beginning of European settlement. Explanatory notes, a glossary and introductory text are included.
The data presented in data cubes (spreadsheets) can be accessed from the Australian Historical Population Statistics webpage.

Demography theme page

The data on this page were last updated on 21 July 2005.



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