International comparisons

Explore the interactive visualisations that allow you to compare data across the 38 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries with available data for the following indicators of health risk factors:

Daily smokers

In 2021, or the nearest year, Australia had the 9th lowest proportion of daily smokers among people aged 15 and over (11.2%). This was lower than the OECD average of 16.1%. The proportions of both female and male daily smokers were also below the OECD average.

Figure: Proportion of population aged 15 and over who are daily smokers, by sex, OECD countries, 2021 or nearest year

This figure shows the proportion of people aged 15 and over who were daily smokers in 2021 or the nearest year, among OECD countries. In 2019, 11.2% of people aged 15 and over in Australia were daily smokers. This is lower than the OECD average (16.1%).

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Number of cigarettes per smoker per day

In 2021, or the nearest year, Australia was equal to the OECD average for number of cigarettes smoked per day. Australian smokers aged 15 and over smoked an average of 12.9 cigarettes per day, consistent with the OECD average (12.9 cigarettes per day). 

Figure: Number of cigarettes per smoker per day, total population aged 15 and over, OECD countries, 2021 or nearest year

This figure shows the number of cigarettes per smoker per day among people aged 15 and over in 2021 or the nearest year, among OECD countries. In 2019, smokers in Australia smoked an average of 12.9 cigarettes per day. This is the same as the OECD average.

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Litres per capita of pure alcohol

In 2019-20, there was 10.1 litres of pure alcohol available for consumption per person aged 15 years and over in Australia according to the Apparent Consumption of Alcohol report. This was higher than the OECD average (8.4 litres). It should be noted the OECD report has not yet been updated with the latest available Australian data.

Figure: Alcohol consumption in litres per capita, total population aged 15 and over, OECD countries, 2021 or nearest year

This figure shows alcohol consumption (litres per capita of pure alcohol) among people aged 15 and over in 2021 or the nearest year, among OECD countries. In 2017, Australians consumed an average of 9.5 litres of pure alcohol per capita. This is higher than the OECD average (8.4 litres per capita).