• Summary
• Downloads
• Explanatory Notes
• Related Information
• Past Releases

VITAL STATISTICS


BIRTHS AND FERTILITY IN THE ACT

There were 4,900 births registered to women living in the ACT in 2009, approximately 1% more than in 2008 (4,800).

In 2009, the median age of ACT women who gave birth was 31.4 years, while the median age of fathers (where age is known) was 33.6 years. These were both higher than the median ages recorded for Australia, and were the second oldest of all the states and territories (Victoria recorded the oldest median ages).

As well as being older, ACT parents are more likely to be married at the time of birth than those living in other states and territories. In 2009, the ACT recorded the second highest proportion of babies born into a nuptial relationship (71%), following Victoria (72%).

The ACT recorded the lowest total fertility rate (TFR) of all the state and territories in 2009, at 1.74 babies per woman. This was a small decrease from the TFR of 1.75 babies per woman recorded for births registered during 2008. Over the past decade, the TFR for women has been consistently below the TFR for Australia. The ACT also recorded the lowest teenage fertility rate for women aged 15-19 years, at 9.7 babies per 1,000 women.

More details on births in Australia, the states and territories, and regional data are available in Births, Australia, 2009 (cat. no. 3301.0).


MORTALITY IN THE ACT

There were 1,600 deaths registered in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in 2009, approximately 3% less than were registered in 2008.

In 2009, the ACT had a standardised death rate (SDR) of 5.4 deaths per 1,000 standard population. This was the lowest recorded of all the states and territories. The overall SDR for Australia was 5.7 deaths per 1,000 standard population.

The median age at death for the ACT has been increasing over the past ten years. In 1999, the median age at death was 75.3 years, 4.7 years younger than the median age at death in 2009 (80.0 years). In 2009, Australia recorded a median age at death of 80.8 years.

The infant mortality rate (IMR) in the ACT is the second lowest in Australia with 3.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2009. Western Australia had the lowest IMR with 3.2 deaths per 1,000 live births. Australia recorded an IMR of 4.3 deaths per 1,000 live births.

More details on deaths in the ACT, other states and territories and Australia can be found in Deaths, Australia, 2009 (cat. no.3302.0).