Deaths to outnumber births in Australia by 2060s
Australia's 40-year projection shows deaths will first outpace births around 2060 as birth rates fall.
Australia's latest intergenerational report shows a historic demographic shift: deaths will outnumber births by the 2060s. The shift reflects falling fertility rates and an ageing population.
Japan, Germany, Italy and the Republic of Korea have already passed this milestone. Population growth will slow to 0.9% per year, down from 1.4% historically.
Working Australians will shrink as a share of the population, putting pressure on budgets and services. Real GDP per person will expand about 1.2% yearly over 40 years, down from 1.5% previously.
Living standards will improve, but more slowly than in the past. The Treasury says artificial intelligence will be crucial to boosting productivity enough to reach even this lower growth target.
- By 2060s
- Deaths outnumber births
- 0.9% per year
- Population growth rate
- 1.2% yearly
- GDP per person growth
- Seventh intergenerational report
- Report number
Why it mattersSlower growth means more modest rises in living standards. An ageing population strains pension and healthcare costs for decades.
AustraliaAustralians will face pressure to work longer and retire later. The government will need to raise taxes or rethink pensions to balance the budget as retirees outnumber workers.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 d ago
