Key data releases

This note draws on two data releases published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics covering deaths in Australia in the period from 1 January to 31 March 2022 and the peak of the Omicron wave of COVID‑19: Provisional Mortality Statistics, January - March 2022 and COVID‑19 Mortality in Australia.

In the period from 1 January to 31 March 2022, there were 44,300 deaths in Australia. This was 14 per cent higher than in the same period in 2021, and 18 per cent above the historical average.

This release reveals the uneven distribution of COVID‑19 on Australia’s population.

In 2020‑21, the combined capital cities population declined for the first time on record.

Overall, this was driven by a large net outflow of overseas migrants from capital cities as well as increased internal migration from capital cities to regional areas.

Regional areas grew at a similar rate to the previous year. This was driven by record levels of internal migration.

Cumulatively in 2021 (until 31 October), the total number of doctor-certified deaths (124,200) was higher than the number of doctor-certified deaths in 2020 (119,200), and higher than the average over 2015‑19 (118,800). The monthly number of doctor-certified deaths in October 2021 was higher than in October 2020 and the 2015‑19 average. From August to October, weekly doctor-certified deaths were not significantly higher in 2021 than the 2015‑19 average, despite a large increase in new COVID‑19 infections over this period. Age standardised death rates for total doctor-certified deaths in 2021 have been below the 2015‑19 average, suggesting that the increase in the number of cumulative deaths (when compared to 2015‑19) reflects a change in the size and age structure of the population rather than an increase in mortality.

The Estimated Resident Population (ERP) of Australia was 25.7 million people at 30 June 2021, around 34,300 people larger than at 31 March 2021. Population growth for the year ending 30 June 2021 was around 0.2 per cent (46,000 people), down from 1.3 per cent for the year ending 30 June 2020. This is the lowest recorded financial year growth since 1916-17 when growth was 0.0 per cent.

Cumulatively in 2021 (until 27 June), the total number of doctor-certified deaths (69,200) was higher than the number of doctor-certified deaths in 2020 (67,000), and higher than the average over 2015–19 (64,800). The weekly number of doctor-certified deaths in June 2021 was higher than in June 2020, and above the 2015–19 average. Age standardised death rates in June were below the 2015–19 average, suggesting that the increase in the number of deaths (when compared to 2015–19) is largely driven by a change in the size and age structure of the population rather than an increase in mortality.

The Estimated Resident Population (ERP) of Australia was 25.7 million people at 31 March 2021, around 21,000 people larger than at the end of December 2020. Population growth for the year ending March 2021 was around 0.1 per cent (35,700 people), down from 0.5 per cent for the year ending December 2020. This is the lowest recorded annual population growth since 1916-17 when growth was 0.0 per cent.

Cumulatively in 2021 (until 28 March), the total number of doctor-certified deaths (31,363) was higher than the number of cumulative doctor-certified deaths in 2020 (30,900), and higher than the average over 2015–19 (29,752). The weekly number of doctor-certified deaths in March 2021 was higher than in 2020, and above the 2015–19 average. However, age standardised death rates in March were lower than in 2020, and below the 2015–19 average, suggesting that the increase in deaths is driven by a change in the size and age structure of the population.

A summary of demographic trends affecting Australia and the states and territories. Provides a quarterly description of the population and components of population change.