News

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Australia narrows life-expectancy gap

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Australia’s life-expectancy gap continues to narrow, with males born today expected to live to 80.5 years, compared to 84.6 years for females, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).  
 
The new male life expectancy is the highest on record. It represents a 0.1-year increase between 2014–16 and 2015–17, and 1.5-year increase over the past decade.
 
According to ABS Demography Director Anthony Grubb, Australia’s numbers compare favourably with its global neighbours.
 
‘Australian males can now expect to live 10.8 years longer than the world average of 69.7 years, according to the United Nations 2015–2020 estimates,’ Mr Grubb said.
 
‘Female life expectancy in 2017 remained the same as the previous year, 84.6 years, and compares to the global average of 74.3 years.’
 
Male life expectancy in Australia increased by 12.9 years in the 50 years to 2017, with female life expectancy improving by 10.4 years over the same period.
 
‘Australians have a higher life expectancy than our counterparts in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the USA,’ Mr Grubb said.
 
Male life expectancy by state and territory:

• Victoria (81.3 years)
• Australian Capital Territory (81.1 years)
• New South Wales (80.3 years)
• South Australia (80.3 years)
• Western Australia (80.3 years)
• Queensland (80 years)
• Tasmania (78.7 years)
• Northern Territory (75.9 years) 

Female life expectancy by state and territory:

• Australian Capital Territory (85.2 years)
• Victoria (85 years)
• Western Australia (84.9 years)
• New South Wales (84.6 years)
• South Australia (84.5 years)
• Queensland (84.4 years)
• Tasmania (82.9 years)
• Northern Territory (79.4 years)

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ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics life expectancy life-expectancy gap

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