INTRODUCTION
During 2009, there were 140,800 deaths (72,300 males and 68,400 females) registered in Australia, a decrease of 3,200 deaths (or 2.2%) compared with the number of deaths registered in 2008 (143,900). Since the late 1980s, the number of deaths registered has increased by around 0.4% per year on average for males and 0.9% per year for females, with year to year fluctuations.
The steady increase in the number of deaths over time reflects the increasing size of the population and, in particular, the increasing number of older people. With the continued ageing of the population, the number of deaths is projected to continue to increase throughout the remainder of the century (see graph 2.14).
2.1 Deaths Registered, 1909 to 2009
Male and female deaths
There were more male deaths (72,300) registered in 2009 than female deaths (68,400), resulting in a sex ratio of 105.7 male deaths for every 100 female deaths. This ratio has decreased over time, with 116.8 male deaths for every 100 female deaths in 1989.
The distribution of deaths registered in 2009 by age group and sex is illustrated in graph 2.2.
2.2 Deaths, Australia, age(a)
and sex—2009
Quality Declaration 
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