️ Highlights:
1. The latest Australian life expectancy data for the 2020-2022 period shows a slight decline in life expectancy compared to the previous rolling 3-year period. This is the first decline in almost 30 years, largely due to excess deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Australia continues to rank highly internationally for life expectancy, ranking 3rd overall behind Monaco and Japan. Australia ranks 2nd for male life expectancy and 6th for female life expectancy.
3. Life expectancy varies across different regions in Australia. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has the highest life expectancy for both males and females, while the Northern Territory has the lowest life expectancy, largely due to its remote areas and high First Nations population.
4. At a regional level, socio-economic status and access to services have an impact on life expectancy. Affluent areas in Sydney and Melbourne have higher life expectancies, while outback areas of the Northern Territory and Western Australia have lower life expectancies.
5. Life expectancy at birth is just one measure, and the ABS also calculates life expectancy by state and territory for every year of age. While individual life expectancies cannot be predicted, understanding these statistics is important for population forecasts at a local level.
Assessing the Impact of the Pandemic on Australian Life Expectancy
The latest dataset on Australian life expectancy, covering the 2020-2022 period, reveals a slight but significant decline, largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. This blog post, drawing on insights from demographer Glenn Capuano, examines the nuances of these changes and their implications.
Key Findings from the Life Expectancy Dataset
- Marginal Decline in Life Expectancy: The life expectancy at birth for Australians has decreased by 0.1 years for both males and females compared to the previous three-year period (2019-2021). Males now have a life expectancy of 81.2 years, and females 85.3 years.
- First Decline in Nearly Three Decades: This decrease marks the first decline in Australian life expectancy in almost 30 years, with the last drop recorded during the 1993-1995 period.
- Long-Term Upward Trend: Despite this decline, the long-term trend of life expectancy in Australia continues to be upward. The slight decrease is primarily due to excess deaths during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Australia’s Global Ranking: Australia maintains a high global ranking for life expectancy. The combined figure for males and females places Australia third in the world, behind Monaco and Japan.
Regional Variations in Life Expectancy
- State and Territory Differences: The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) boasts the highest life expectancy for both genders, while the Northern Territory has the lowest, influenced by its remote population and high First Nations population.
- Socioeconomic Factors: Higher socioeconomic areas generally exhibit higher life expectancy. This correlation is evident in regions like Sydney’s Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury, which top the life expectancy charts.
- Regional Disparities: The disparity in life expectancy across regions is about 13 years, with the lowest figures in the outback areas of the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Understanding Life Expectancy Measures
Life expectancy at birth is a statistical measure indicating the average number of years a newborn is expected to live. However, life expectancy extends with each year lived. For example, an 85-year-old female can expect to live an additional 7.5 years.
The Evolving Landscape of Australian Life Expectancy
The slight decline in life expectancy due to COVID-19 underscores the pandemic’s impact on national health metrics. While Australia continues to rank highly in global life expectancy, the regional disparities highlight the influence of socioeconomic and geographic factors. Understanding these trends is crucial for policymakers and health practitioners in addressing the health needs of the Australian population.