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SOCIAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC STATISTICAL SUMMARY


Population

• The preliminary estimated resident population of WA as at 30 June 2010 was 2.30 million, an increase of 49,100 persons, or 2.2%, over the previous year. Nationally, the population grew by 377,100 persons, or 1.7%, to 22.34 million.
• In the 12 months to June 2009, the Perth Statistical Division (SD) had the largest population increase in WA, growing by 52,200 people (3.2%) while the population in the remainder of the state increased by 15,900 people (2.8%). The South West SD had the fastest growth in the state, increasing by 4.0% (9,500 people).
• The median age in WA increased slightly to 36.2 years in the five years to June 2009. At the Statistical Division (SD) level, Midlands had the highest median age (41.5 years) in June 2009, while the Kimberley and Pilbara SDs had the lowest median ages (30.5 and 31.5 years respectively).
• Across WA, the sex ratio in June 2009 was 102.8 males for every 100 females. The highest ratios were for the Pilbara SD (129.2), South Eastern SD (114.8) and Kimberley SD (111.2). The Perth SD had the lowest sex ratio (100.9).

• In 2009, the number of births in WA was 3.1% lower than the number registered in 2008, decreasing from 31,800 to 30,900. This was a substantial annual decrease when compared with a national decrease of 0.3%.
• The fall in the total number of births in WA from 2008 to 2009 was driven by a 10% decrease in births to women aged 15-19 years and a 5.7% decrease in births to women aged 35 years and over.
• Women aged 30-34 years continued to record the highest fertility rate of all age groups, with births to these mothers comprising almost 31% of all WA births in 2009.
• In 2009, the life expectancy of a child born between 2007 and 2009 was estimated to be 79.5 years for boys and 84.1 years for girls.

• In 2009, the standardised death rate for Western Australia continued to decline, falling to 5.6 from 6.9 in 1999.
• The infant mortality rate has also been declining over the past ten years. In particular, the indigenous infant mortality rate has more than halved over the period (from 15.8 in 1999 to 7.7 in 2009).
• Cancer (malignant neoplasms), ischaemic heart disease and stroke continue to be the main causes of death. Together, these accounted for more than half (53%) of all deaths in WA in 2008.

• In 2009, the median age at first marriage in WA was 29.9 years for males and 27.9 years for females.
• The divorce rate has decreased over the past decade, falling from 2.8 divorces per 1,000 of the estimated resident population in 1999 to 2.1 in 2009.
  

• The apparent retention rate from Year 7/8 to Year 12 for all students in WA increased between 2008 and 2009, rising to 69% for males and 81% for females.
• For Indigenous students, the apparent retention rate from Year 7/8 to Year 12 was 38% in 2009, almost half the rate for all students in WA (75%). However, the apparent retention rate for Indigenous students has almost doubled since 1999 (20%).
• In 2009, 62% aged 25-64 years in WA had obtained a non-school educational qualification, increasing from 59% in 2008. Of these, nearly 25% had obtained a Bachelor degree or higher.
  

• In 2009, the number of crime victims recorded by the Western Australia Police decreased for most offences including Homicide and related offences; Sexual assault; Robbery; Unlawful entry with intent; Motor vehicle theft; and Other theft.
• The single exception was Assault for which the number of victims increased by 4% in 2009.
• Among the more common offences, motor vehicle theft showed the largest proportional decrease, with 17% fewer victims in 2009 than 2008.