HOW DOES THE ABS DEVELOP THE ASSUMPTIONS USED IN ABS POPULATION PROJECTIONS?
Calculating a set of population projections first begins by determining the assumptions that will be used to project the size and structure of the future population of Australia. The process of developing population projections involves research, analysis, consultation and computation. Analysis of demographic trends, research into the determinants of population growth and distribution, and consultation with various individuals and government department representatives at the national and state levels are necessary to formulate the assumptions and to ensure their general relevance for the projection period.
As future levels of fertility, mortality, overseas migration and internal migration are unpredictable, two or more assumptions are used for each component. These are intended to illustrate a range of possible future outcomes, although there can be no certainty that any particular outcome will be realised, or that future outcomes will necessarily fall within this range.
In 2008, the ABS published projections of the population of Australia to the year 2101, and of the states, territories, capital cities and balances of state to the year 2051, based on assumptions about future levels of fertility, mortality and overseas and interstate migration. Three main projections (Series A, B and C) were published using different combinations of assumptions. The current set of population projections is based on preliminary population estimates for 30 June 2007. Hence, differences will be noted between this section based on preliminary 2007 estimates, and other sections of the Population Chapter based on revised estimates.
Assumptions used for the three series of projections were:
Series A
a total fertility rate of 2.0 babies per woman from 2021 onwards
life expectancy at birth increasing to 93.9 years for males and 96.1 years for females by 2056 and remaining constant thereafter
net overseas migration of 220,000 people per year from 2011 onwards, and
high levels of interstate migration.
Series B
a total fertility rate of 1.8 babies per woman from 2021 onwards
life expectancy at birth increasing to 85.0 years for males and 88.0 years for females by 2056 and remaining constant thereafter
net overseas migration of 180,000 per year from 2008 onwards, and
medium levels of interstate migration.
Series C
a total fertility rate of 1.6 babies per woman from 2021 onwards
life expectancy at birth increasing to 85.0 years for males and 88.0 years for females by 2056 and remaining constant thereafter
net overseas migration of 140,000 per year from 2008 onwards, and
low levels of interstate migration.
Australia's population in June 2007 of 21.0 million people is projected to increase to between 30.9 million and 42.5 million in 2056, and reach between 33.7 million and 62.2 million by 2101.
All three series project continuing population growth throughout the projection period. In Series A, the population is projected to reach 42.5 million in 2056 and 62.2 million in 2101. In Series B, the population will reach 35.5 million in 2056 and 44.7 million in 2101. In Series C, the projected population is 30.9 million for 2056 and 33.7 million for 2101 (graph 7.10).
The growth rate of Australia's population reflects the interaction of the components of population change — natural increase (the excess of births over deaths) and net overseas migration.
In the 10 years to June 2007, Australia's population increased by 1.3% per year on average, with just over half of this growth resulting from natural increase and just under half from net overseas migration. In 2006-07, there were 274,300 births and 134,800 deaths in Australia, resulting in a natural increase of 139,500 people, while net overseas migration contributed 177,600 people to Australia's population.
In Series C, a state of natural decrease, in which deaths outnumber births, is reached in 2048. However, net overseas migration more than compensates for losses due to natural decrease and Australia's population continues to increase, albeit slowly, throughout the projection period. A state of natural decrease is also reached in Series B, but only in the last year of the projection (2101). In contrast to the 2004-based set of ABS population projections released in November 2005, no series shows population decline for Australia before the end of the century.
Series B projects continuing population growth to 2056 in all states and territories except Tasmania, where the population increases slowly before levelling out by around 2040 and then decreases marginally from 2051 onwards. Between June 2007 and 2056, the populations of both Queensland and Western Australia are projected to more than double (with increases of 109% and 104% respectively) while the Northern Territory is projected to increase by 87%. In comparison, the projected growth for Australia for the same period is 69%.
Series B projects continuing population growth to 2056 in all states and territories except Tasmania, where the population increases slowly before levelling out by around 2040 and then decreases marginally from 2051 onwards (table 7.11). Between June 2007 and 2056, the populations of both Queensland and Western Australia are projected to more than double (with increases of 109% and 104% respectively) while the Northern Territory is projected to increase by 87%. In comparison, the projected growth for Australia for the same period is 69%.
7.11 ACTUAL AND PROJECTED POPULATION—At 30 June
2007(a)
2026(b)
2056(b)
Actual
Series A
Series B
Series C
Series A
Series B
Series C
Capital city/balance of state
'000
'000
'000
'000
'000
'000
'000
Sydney
4 334.0
5 487.2
5 426.3
5 358.2
7 649.0
6 976.8
6 565.2
Balance of New South Wales
2 554.0
3 189.9
2 968.8
2 780.2
4 140.1
3 233.4
2 646.1
New South Wales
6 888.0
8 677.0
8 395.1
8 138.5
11 789.1
10 210.2
9 211.3
Melbourne
3 805.8
5 272.3
5 038.1
4 861.7
7 970.7
6 789.2
6 100.9
Balance of Victoria
1 399.1
1 626.1
1 624.1
1 636.3
1 879.6
1 749.1
1 742.9
Victoria
5 204.8
6 898.3
6 662.2
6 498.0
9 850.3
8 538.3
7 843.8
Brisbane
1 857.0
2 908.0
2 681.1
2 465.6
4 955.1
3 979.3
3 237.0
Balance of Queensland
2 324.5
3 645.4
3 356.9
3 129.7
5 966.3
4 759.6
3 998.2
Queensland
4 181.4
6 553.3
6 038.0
5 595.2
10 921.3
8 738.9
7 235.2
Adelaide
1 158.0
1 410.8
1 384.5
1 391.8
1 848.5
1 651.8
1 623.7
Balance of South Australia
426.2
531.5
499.8
451.0
691.4
552.7
406.7
South Australia
1 584.2
1 942.3
1 884.4
1 842.9
2 539.9
2 204.5
2 030.4
Perth
1 554.1
2 455.2
2 267.6
2 112.1
4 164.4
3 358.4
2 815.5
Balance of Western Australia
552.0
796.8
732.9
660.5
1 207.6
935.0
702.3
Western Australia
2 106.1
3 252.0
3 000.5
2 772.7
5 372.0
4 293.4
3 517.7
Hobart
207.4
266.8
245.3
228.2
367.2
279.7
224.0
Balance of Tasmania
286.0
338.5
307.0
277.5
411.1
291.2
202.6
Tasmania
493.4
605.3
552.3
505.7
778.3
571.0
426.6
Darwin
117.4
189.3
165.2
142.4
334.9
243.0
169.2
Balance of Northern Territory
97.5
140.1
119.8
100.8
238.1
158.6
94.9
Northern Territory
214.9
329.4
285.0
243.3
573.0
401.6
264.2
Australian Capital Territory(c)
339.8
462.5
416.5
373.0
683.2
509.3
374.2
Total capital cities(d)
13 373.4
18 452.0
17 624.7
16 933.0
27 973.0
23 787.5
21 109.6
Total balance of states and territories(e)(f)
7 641.7
10 271.0
9 611.9
9 038.9
14 537.3
11 682.5
9 796.5
Australia(f)
21 015.0
28 723.0
27 236.7
25 971.9
42 510.4
35 470.0
30 906.1
(a) Preliminary estimated resident population at 30 June 2007, which was used as the base for the projections.
(b) Projections based on preliminary estimated resident population at 30 June 2007.
(c) Canberra and Balance of ACT not projected separately.
(d) Includes ACT.
(e) Excludes Balance of ACT.
(f) Includes Other territories (Jervis Bay Territory, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands).
Graph 7.12 illustrates the ageing of Australia's population projected to occur over the next 90 years. Ageing of the population is a trend that has been evident over recent decades as a result of fertility remaining below replacement level and declining mortality rates. In all three series (A, B and C), this trend is projected to continue.
The median age of Australia's population is projected to increase from 36.7 years in June 2007 to between 38.7 and 40.7 years in 2026 and to between 41.9 and 45.2 years in 2056. In 2101, the median age of the population is projected to reach between 43.8 and 46.7 years.
Ageing of the population affects the relative sizes of different age groups within the population. The proportion of the population aged under 15 years is projected to decrease from 19% (4.1 million people) of Australia's population in 2007 to between 15% and 18% (4.5 million and 7.5 million) in 2056 and to decline to between 14% and 17% (4.7 million to 10.4 million) in 2101. In contrast, the proportion of the population aged 65 years and over is projected to increase from 13% (2.8 million people) in 2007 to between 23% and 25% (7.8 million and 10.4 million) in 2056, and between 25% and 28% (9.3 million and 17.1 million) in 2101.
Table 7.13 presents a range of indicators, such as population size, age structure and proportion living in capital cities. It illustrates changes in Australia's population from 1901 to 2101.
7.13 POPULATION, Summary indicators
Unit
1901
1947
1971
2007(a)
2026(b)
2056(b)
2101(b)
Total population
'000
3 774.1
7 579.4
13 067.3
21 015.0
27 236.7
35 470.0
44 744.8
Proportion of population
0–14 years
%
35.2
25.1
28.7
19.4
17.9
16.6
16.0
15–64 years
%
60.8
66.8
63.0
67.4
63.4
60.5
59.0
65 years and over
%
4.0
8.1
8.3
13.2
18.7
22.9
25.0
85 years and over
%
0.1
0.4
0.5
1.6
2.4
4.9
5.8
Sex ratio(c)
ratio
110.1
100.4
101.1
98.8
99.4
100.3
101.0
Median age
years
22.5
30.7
27.5
36.7
39.5
42.4
43.8
Proportion living in capital cities(d)
%
36.8
51.2
63.5
63.6
64.7
67.1
na
na not available
(a) Preliminary estimated resident population at 30 June.
Statistics contained in the Year Book are the most recent available at the time of preparation. In many cases, the ABS website and the websites of other organisations provide access to more recent data. Each Year Book table or graph and the bibliography at the end of each chapter provides hyperlinks to the most up to date data release where available.
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This page first published 24 May 2012, last updated 11 November 2015
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POPULATION PROJECTIONS
Calculating a set of population projections first begins by determining the assumptions that will be used to project the size and structure of the future population of Australia. The process of developing population projections involves research, analysis, consultation and computation. Analysis of demographic trends, research into the determinants of population growth and distribution, and consultation with various individuals and government department representatives at the national and state levels are necessary to formulate the assumptions and to ensure their general relevance for the projection period.
As future levels of fertility, mortality, overseas migration and internal migration are unpredictable, two or more assumptions are used for each component. These are intended to illustrate a range of possible future outcomes, although there can be no certainty that any particular outcome will be realised, or that future outcomes will necessarily fall within this range.
In 2008, the ABS published projections of the population of Australia to the year 2101, and of the states, territories, capital cities and balances of state to the year 2051, based on assumptions about future levels of fertility, mortality and overseas and interstate migration. Three main projections (Series A, B and C) were published using different combinations of assumptions. The current set of population projections is based on preliminary population estimates for 30 June 2007. Hence, differences will be noted between this section based on preliminary 2007 estimates, and other sections of the Population Chapter based on revised estimates.
Assumptions used for the three series of projections were:
Series A
Series B
Series C
Australia's population in June 2007 of 21.0 million people is projected to increase to between 30.9 million and 42.5 million in 2056, and reach between 33.7 million and 62.2 million by 2101.
All three series project continuing population growth throughout the projection period. In Series A, the population is projected to reach 42.5 million in 2056 and 62.2 million in 2101. In Series B, the population will reach 35.5 million in 2056 and 44.7 million in 2101. In Series C, the projected population is 30.9 million for 2056 and 33.7 million for 2101 (graph 7.10).
The growth rate of Australia's population reflects the interaction of the components of population change — natural increase (the excess of births over deaths) and net overseas migration.
In the 10 years to June 2007, Australia's population increased by 1.3% per year on average, with just over half of this growth resulting from natural increase and just under half from net overseas migration. In 2006-07, there were 274,300 births and 134,800 deaths in Australia, resulting in a natural increase of 139,500 people, while net overseas migration contributed 177,600 people to Australia's population.
In Series C, a state of natural decrease, in which deaths outnumber births, is reached in 2048. However, net overseas migration more than compensates for losses due to natural decrease and Australia's population continues to increase, albeit slowly, throughout the projection period. A state of natural decrease is also reached in Series B, but only in the last year of the projection (2101). In contrast to the 2004-based set of ABS population projections released in November 2005, no series shows population decline for Australia before the end of the century.
Series B projects continuing population growth to 2056 in all states and territories except Tasmania, where the population increases slowly before levelling out by around 2040 and then decreases marginally from 2051 onwards. Between June 2007 and 2056, the populations of both Queensland and Western Australia are projected to more than double (with increases of 109% and 104% respectively) while the Northern Territory is projected to increase by 87%. In comparison, the projected growth for Australia for the same period is 69%.
Series B projects continuing population growth to 2056 in all states and territories except Tasmania, where the population increases slowly before levelling out by around 2040 and then decreases marginally from 2051 onwards (table 7.11). Between June 2007 and 2056, the populations of both Queensland and Western Australia are projected to more than double (with increases of 109% and 104% respectively) while the Northern Territory is projected to increase by 87%. In comparison, the projected growth for Australia for the same period is 69%.
(b) Projections based on preliminary estimated resident population at 30 June 2007.
Graph 7.12 illustrates the ageing of Australia's population projected to occur over the next 90 years. Ageing of the population is a trend that has been evident over recent decades as a result of fertility remaining below replacement level and declining mortality rates. In all three series (A, B and C), this trend is projected to continue.
The median age of Australia's population is projected to increase from 36.7 years in June 2007 to between 38.7 and 40.7 years in 2026 and to between 41.9 and 45.2 years in 2056. In 2101, the median age of the population is projected to reach between 43.8 and 46.7 years.
Ageing of the population affects the relative sizes of different age groups within the population. The proportion of the population aged under 15 years is projected to decrease from 19% (4.1 million people) of Australia's population in 2007 to between 15% and 18% (4.5 million and 7.5 million) in 2056 and to decline to between 14% and 17% (4.7 million to 10.4 million) in 2101. In contrast, the proportion of the population aged 65 years and over is projected to increase from 13% (2.8 million people) in 2007 to between 23% and 25% (7.8 million and 10.4 million) in 2056, and between 25% and 28% (9.3 million and 17.1 million) in 2101.
Table 7.13 presents a range of indicators, such as population size, age structure and proportion living in capital cities. It illustrates changes in Australia's population from 1901 to 2101.