
Life expectancy is a measure of the overall health of a population, reflecting the average number of years a person is expected to live based on current death rates. It is influenced by factors such as age, sex, and cause of death. Australia's life expectancy has improved over time, but there are variations within the country. For instance, in 2021-2023, life expectancy for males was 81.7 years in the Australian Capital Territory and 76.4 years in the Northern Territory. Similarly, for females, it was 85.7 years in the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia, but 80.4 years in the Northern Territory. These numbers were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a notable increase in deaths during this period. Australia's life expectancy is lower than countries like Japan, Switzerland, and Korea, and there is also a gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Life expectancy for males (2024) | 81.7 years |
| Life expectancy for females (2024) | 85.7 years |
| Life expectancy for males (2020-2022) | 80.9 years |
| Life expectancy for females (2020-2022) | 85 years |
| Life expectancy for males (First Nations), 2020-2022 | 71.9 years |
| Life expectancy for females (First Nations), 2020-2022 | 75.6 years |
| Life expectancy for males (HALE, 2024) | 71.7 years |
| Life expectancy for females (HALE, 2024) | 73.8 years |
| Average proportion of life in full health for males | 88% |
| Average proportion of life in full health for females | 87% |
| Life expectancy in 2024 | 84.06 years |
| Life expectancy in 2023 | 83.05 years |
| Life expectancy in 2022 | 83.2 years |
| Life expectancy in 2021 | 83.38 years |
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What You'll Learn

Life expectancy in Australia in 2024
Life expectancy in Australia refers to the average number of years a person could be expected to live, based on current age and sex-specific death rates. In 2021-2023, life expectancy at birth in Australia decreased slightly for the second year in a row, to 81.1 years for males and 85.1 years for females. This was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the highest number of deaths during 2021-2022.
During this period, the Australian Capital Territory had the highest life expectancy for males (81.7 years) and females (85.7 years), while the Northern Territory had the lowest life expectancy for both males and females (76.4 years and 80.4 years, respectively). There was also a difference in life expectancy between First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians, with an estimated gap of 8.8 years for males and 8.1 years for females.
While specific data for 2024 is not yet available, we can expect a slight increase in life expectancy compared to 2023. Australia's life expectancy in 2023 was 83.05 years, a small decline from 2022. However, the estimated life expectancy for males born in 2024 is 71.7 years in terms of health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE), which considers the years lived with the health consequences of disease and injury. For females born in 2024, the HALE is estimated to be 73.8 years.
Overall, despite fluctuations due to the pandemic, Australia maintains a higher life expectancy than many comparable countries, and life expectancy has generally increased over time. The latest data for 2024 will provide further insights into the trends in life expectancy for Australians.
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Life expectancy for males and females
Life expectancy in Australia has improved dramatically for both sexes in the last century, particularly life expectancy at birth. The life expectancy for males and females born in 2024 is estimated to be 71.7 years and 73.8 years, respectively. This equates to males and females living, on average, 88% and 86% of their lives in full health.
In 2020-2022, the life expectancy at birth for males was 80.9 years, and for females, it was 85.0 years. There is a gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non-Indigenous people. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males, the life expectancy at birth was 71.9 years, 8.8 years less than for non-Indigenous males. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females, it was 75.6 years, 8.1 years less than for non-Indigenous females.
Life expectancy also varies across different states and territories in Australia. In 2021-2023, the Australian Capital Territory had the highest life expectancy for males (81.7 years) and females (85.7 years). The Northern Territory had the lowest life expectancy for both males (76.4 years) and females (80.4 years).
The concept of "healthy life expectancy (HALE) at birth" considers the average number of years a person is expected to live in "full health" from birth, taking into account years lived with the health consequences of disease and injury. HALE reflects the overall improvements in health outcomes over time. For instance, in 1922, infectious diseases accounted for 15% of all deaths in Australia, with an average age of death of 27 years. In comparison, in 2023, infectious diseases (excluding COVID-19) accounted for less than 2% of deaths, with an average age of death of 80 years.
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Life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Life expectancy in Australia is influenced by various factors, including geography and socio-economic status. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average life expectancy for males in 2021-2023 was highest in the Australian Capital Territory (81.7 years) and lowest in the Northern Territory (76.4 years). For females, life expectancy was highest in the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia (85.7 years) and lowest in the Northern Territory (80.4 years).
However, when considering the life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, there are notable differences. The life expectancy for this population group is significantly lower than that of non-Indigenous Australians. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males born in 2020-2022, the life expectancy is estimated to be 71.9 years, while for females, it is 75.6 years. This represents a gap of 8.8 years for males and 8.1 years for females when compared to non-Indigenous Australians.
Geography plays a crucial role in the life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Those living in remote and very remote areas have a lower life expectancy than those in major cities. For example, males in remote and very remote areas have a life expectancy of 67.3 years, compared to 72.5 years for those in major cities. Similarly, females in remote and very remote areas have a life expectancy of 71.3 years, compared to 76.5 years for those in major cities.
Socio-economic status also impacts life expectancy, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the most disadvantaged areas having a lower life expectancy than those in the least disadvantaged areas. Additionally, the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are holistic concepts that encompass physical, social, emotional, cultural, and spiritual elements. Conditions such as depression, arthritis, lower back pain, hearing loss, and asthma can significantly impact their quality of life.
While there have been improvements in life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over time, with the gap narrowing since 2005-2007, it is important to recognize that these estimates are based on limited data points. Accurate interpretation of life expectancy data for this population group requires understanding the factors influencing death records and population data, including improvements in identifying Indigenous status.
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Life expectancy trends over time
Life expectancy in Australia has improved significantly for both sexes over the past century, particularly at birth. The average life expectancy for males born in 2024 is estimated to be 71.7 years, while for females, it is 73.8 years. This is a slight decrease from the 2017-2019 period, when life expectancy was 80.9 years for males and 85.0 years for females. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted life expectancy, with a notable increase in deaths in 2022, but the overall mortality rate remains lower than pre-pandemic levels.
In 2020-2022, the life expectancy at birth for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was lower than for non-Indigenous Australians: 71.9 years for males (8.8 years less than non-Indigenous males) and 75.6 years for females (8.1 years less than non-Indigenous females). This gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians has persisted over time.
Between 2003 and 2023, the average proportion of life spent in full health changed only slightly for both males (from 89% to 88%) and females (from 88% to 87%). This indicates that while life expectancy may have fluctuated, the quality of life in terms of health has remained relatively consistent.
Over time, the causes of death in Australia have also changed. In 1922, infectious diseases accounted for 15% of all deaths, with an average age of death of 27 years. In contrast, in 2023, infectious diseases (excluding COVID-19) accounted for less than 2% of deaths, and the average age of death from these diseases was 80 years. This shift in the pattern of deaths due to certain conditions has likely influenced the overall life expectancy trends in Australia.
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Factors influencing life expectancy
Life expectancy in Australia has improved dramatically over the last century, especially at birth. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a decrease in life expectancy in 2020-2022, and again in 2021-2023. The average life expectancy for males born in 2021–2023 is 81.1 years, and for females, it is 85.1 years. This is a slight decrease from the previous year (2020-2022) when male and female life expectancy was 81.2 and 85.3 years, respectively.
Life expectancy is influenced by various factors, and it differs between populations. Here are some key factors that impact life expectancy in Australia:
Health and Healthcare Access
Access to high-quality healthcare is a significant contributor to increased life expectancy. Populations with better healthcare access tend to have higher life expectancies. Additionally, the presence of certain health conditions and diseases can impact life expectancy. For example, in 1922, infectious diseases accounted for 15% of all deaths in Australia, with an average age of death of 27 years. In contrast, in 2023, infectious diseases (excluding COVID-19) accounted for less than 2% of deaths, with an average age of death of 80 years.
Geographic Location
Life expectancy varies across different geographic locations within Australia. For instance, in 2021-2023, the Australian Capital Territory had the highest life expectancy for males (81.7 years) and females (85.7 years), while the Northern Territory had the lowest life expectancy for both males (76.4 years) and females (80.4 years).
Indigenous Status
There are significant health disparities between First Nations people (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) and non-Indigenous Australians. The life expectancy for First Nations males and females at all ages is lower than for their non-Indigenous counterparts. The gap in life expectancy at birth is particularly notable, with an 8.8-year difference for males and an 8.1-year difference for females.
Gender
In Australia, females generally have a higher life expectancy than males. On average, females born in 2021–2023 can expect to live around four years longer than males. This gender gap in life expectancy narrows as individuals age.
Rural vs. Urban Residence
People living in rural and remote areas of Australia tend to have lower life expectancies and higher rates of disease and injury than those residing in major cities. This disparity may be due, in part, to differences in healthcare access and other socioeconomic factors.
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Frequently asked questions
The life expectancy for males born in 2024 is 71.7 years, and for females, it is 73.8 years. This is based on health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE), which measures the average number of years of life expected in full health.
Australia has a lower life expectancy than Japan, Switzerland, and Korea.
Life expectancy in Australia differs between populations. For example, there is a gap in life expectancy at birth between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous people. In 2020-2022, the life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males was 71.9 years, and for females, it was 75.6 years. This is 8.8 years and 8.1 years lower, respectively, than for non-Indigenous Australians.
Life expectancy in Australia has improved over the last century, particularly at birth. Between 2003 and 2023, the average proportion of life spent in full health changed slightly from 89% to 88% for males and 88% to 87% for females. However, there was a slight decrease in life expectancy during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a decline in 2021 and 2022, followed by an increase in 2024.











































