Leslie Massey
Australia's fertility rate is currently at a record low of 1.5 babies per woman, according to 2023 data from the Bureau of Statistics. This figure has been declining over the past three decades, with the fertility rate for women aged 15 to 19 years experiencing the sharpest drop. In contrast, the fertility rate for women aged 40 to 44 years has increased. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women have a higher fertility rate of 2.17 births per woman, compared to 1.50 for all Australian women. The global phenomenon of declining fertility rates has sparked debates about future population sizes and the potential economic consequences.
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What You'll Learn
Fertility rate by state
Australia's fertility rate is at a record low of 1.5 births per woman, with 286,998 registered births in 2023, a decrease of 4.6% from 2022. The total fertility rate has been on a declining trend over the last decade, with the lowest level ever recorded in 2023. The birth rate for girls and women aged 15 to 19 has fallen by more than two-thirds over the last 30 years, and there has also been a large decline for women aged 20 to 24 years.
When looking at fertility rates by state, Western Australia recorded the highest total fertility rate of 1.57 babies per woman in 2023. New South Wales and the Northern Territory followed closely behind with a rate of 1.55 babies per woman each. The Australian Capital Territory had the lowest fertility rate at 1.31 babies per woman. Tasmania was the only state to record an increase in its fertility rate, with a slight rise from 1.49 to 1.51 babies per woman.
It is worth noting that the fertility rate for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women was higher at 2.17 births per woman in 2023. The median age of mothers in this group was 26.8 years, five years younger than the median age of all mothers in Australia, which was 31.9 years.
The declining fertility rate in Australia has sparked concerns about economic consequences, with experts suggesting that younger Australians are increasingly concerned about their economic security when planning families. However, Australia has recovered from low fertility rates in the past, and demographers believe it can be done again.
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Fertility rate trends
Australia's fertility rate is currently at a record low of 1.5 births per woman. This figure has been declining over the last decade and is below the replacement rate of 2.1 births per woman, which is the rate required for a population to sustain itself without immigration. This decline is part of a global trend of falling fertility rates.
Over the past 30 years, Australia's fertility rate has slowly dropped from 1.9 in 1990 to its current rate. This decline has been most prominent among women aged 15 to 19 years, with the fertility rate in this age group decreasing by more than two-thirds. In contrast, the fertility rate for women aged 40 to 44 years has almost doubled or tripled over the same period. This shift towards later childbearing has resulted in a rise in the median age of mothers to 31.6 years, which is the oldest on record.
The fertility rate varies across Australia's states and territories. In 2023, Western Australia recorded the highest total fertility rate (1.57 babies per woman), followed by New South Wales and the Northern Territory (1.55 each). The Australian Capital Territory had the lowest rate (1.31 babies per woman). Only Tasmania recorded an increase in fertility rate from 2022 to 2023, increasing from 1.49 to 1.51 babies per woman.
The fertility rate for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women is higher than that of all Australian women overall. In 2023, the fertility rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women was 2.17 births per woman, compared to 1.50 births for all Australian women. The higher fertility rate among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women is particularly apparent in those aged under 30 years, with a marked gap in the 20-24 age group.
The decline in fertility rates has implications for Australia's future population size and economic growth. In the past, Australia has relied on immigration to address declining fertility rates and population decline, and this may continue to be a strategy in the future. However, there are also opportunities presented by a smaller population, such as environmental benefits and reduced strain on resources.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fertility rates
Australia's fertility rate in 2023 was 1.5 births per woman, a decline from the previous year and the lowest level ever recorded. The fertility rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, however, was significantly higher at 2.17 births per woman. This rate remained stable from 2022 to 2023, while the overall Australian fertility rate declined.
The higher fertility rate among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women is particularly notable for those under 30, with a marked difference for those aged 20–24. The median age of mothers in this group is 26.8 years, five years younger than the median age of all mothers in Australia (31.9 years). The median age of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers is also five years younger than that of all fathers in Australia (28.9 years compared to 33.8 years).
While Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have more children on average and at a younger age than other Australian women, they also face unique challenges. In many communities, they are disproportionately affected by risk factors for infertility, such as sexually transmitted infections, polycystic ovary syndrome, and obesity. However, there is limited knowledge about the occurrence of infertility in this group and their access to fertility treatments.
The life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is also lower than that of non-Indigenous Australians. Mortality rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females in the 30–34 and 40–44 age groups are over four times those of non-Indigenous females. For males, the largest differences are in the 30–34 and 35–39 age groups, where mortality rates are nearly four times higher than non-Indigenous males. These statistics highlight health disparities and the need for targeted interventions to improve overall wellbeing in these communities.
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Age-specific fertility rates
Australia's fertility rate is currently 1.66 births per woman, a slight decrease from the previous year's rate of 1.68. This figure represents the average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime and is calculated based on the current age-specific fertility rates of women in Australia.
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Immigration and population growth
Australia's fertility rate is currently at a record low of 1.5 births per woman. This figure has been declining over the last decade and is well below the replacement rate of 2.1 births per woman, which is the rate at which a population sustains itself without immigration. This trend is not unique to Australia, as fertility rates are decreasing globally.
Immigration has been a key strategy for Australia to sustain its population growth in the face of declining fertility rates. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a national debate on this issue led the Coalition government of John Howard to increase Australia's overall immigration intake significantly. This decision was influenced by reports and studies on Australia's "carrying capacity" and the potential impact of a declining population.
The current immigration strategy in Australia may need adjustments to address the changing global landscape. Experts predict that high-income, low-fertility countries like Australia will increasingly rely on immigration to sustain their economic growth. This shift is due to the concentration of live births in areas vulnerable to climate change, resource insecurity, political instability, and poverty. However, this approach requires a shift in public and political attitudes towards immigration.
While the total fertility rate in Australia declined from 2022 to 2023, it remained stable for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women at 2.17 births per woman. This rate is higher than that of women in Australia overall and is particularly noticeable among women under 30 years old. The median age of mothers in Australia is 31.9 years, with women aged 30 to 34 years having the highest age-specific fertility rate.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia's fertility rate was 1.5 births per woman in 2023.
The fertility rate has been declining over the last three decades, dropping from 1.86 in 1993 to 1.5 in 2023.
Experts suggest that a replacement rate of 2.1 births per woman is required for the population to sustain itself without immigration.
Australia's fertility rate is comparable to other high-income nations, which often have low fertility rates. In contrast, lower-income countries tend to have higher fertility rates.
