Life expectancy across population groups

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Life expectancy of First Nations people Life expectancy across socioeconomic areas International comparisons of life expectancy

Looking at life expectancy for different population groups can provide useful insight into differences in population health. However, life expectancy estimates are not always calculated the same due to differences in available data. Because of this, sub-group estimates should only be compared with those derived using the same method, rather than with total population life expectancy estimates or those produced using different approaches.

Life expectancy of First Nations people

Life expectancy differs between populations (see Trends in life expectancy). 

For First Nations people born in 2020–2022 (Figure 9.3):

  • males can expect to live to the age of 71.9 years
  • females can expect to live to the age of 75.6 years.

The difference in life expectancy between males and females decreases with age. For example, for people aged 65, the gap between First Nations males and females is 1.2 years, compared with the gap of 3.8 years at birth (Figure 9.3).

Life expectancy for First Nations males and females at all ages was lower than for non-Indigenous Australians. The difference (gap) in life expectancy at birth between First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians was:

  • 8.8 years for males (80.6 compared with 71.9 years)
  • 8.1 years for females (83.8 compared with 75.6 years).

Figure 9.3: Life expectancy estimates by age and sex, by Indigenous status, 2020–2022

The bar chart shows that life expectancy for First Nations females is higher than for First Nations males across age groups. The difference decreases as age increases.

The bar chart shows that life expectancy for First Nations females is higher than for First Nations males across age groups. The difference decreases as age increases.

Life expectancy across socioeconomic areas

Life expectancy estimates presented below are based on life tables by Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) quintiles developed by the AIHW. They use similar methods to life tables by SEIFA produced by the ABS but use single year age-specific death rates rather than a 3-yearly average. For more information see Technical notes. 

The ABS report Life expectancy by Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2011-2024 includes more detailed life expectancy estimates by SEIFA decile based on death registrations between 2011–13 and 2022–24.  

Life expectancy typically increases with less socioeconomic disadvantage. Males and females living in lower socioeconomic areas have lower life expectancy at birth than those living in higher socioeconomic areas (Figure 9.4). For people born in 2024:

  • males living in the lowest socioeconomic areas could expect to live to 78.4 years, and those living in the highest to 83.8 years.
  • females living in the lowest socioeconomic areas could expect to live to 83.0 years, and those living in the highest to 87.0 years

The difference (gap) in life expectancy at birth between males and females narrows with less disadvantage. For those born in 2024, the difference in life expectancy was:

  • 4.6 years for those living in the lowest socioeconomic areas
  • 3.2 years for those living in the highest socioeconomic areas.

Figure 9.4: Life expectancy at birth, socioeconomic area and sex, 2024

The bar chart shows higher life expectancy in less socioeconomically disadvantaged areas compared with more disadvantaged areas. The gap between the highest and lowest quintiles is larger for males than females.

The bar chart shows higher life expectancy in less socioeconomically disadvantaged areas compared with more disadvantaged areas. The gap between the highest and lowest quintiles is larger for males than females.

Source: AIHW National Mortality Database; Births, Australia (ABS 2025); National, state and territory population (ABS 2026); Table S9.2.

Notes:

1. Life expectancy is derived from life tables which use the registration year of births and deaths. 

2. Geography is based on area of usual residence – Statistical Local Area Level 2 (SA2) – classified into population-based quintiles by using the Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) 2021 Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) (ABS 2023b).

International comparisons of life expectancy

Australians have one of the highest life expectancies in the world, at 83.0 years in 2023 for males and females at birth combined – ranked 10th among 38 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The country with the highest life expectancy at birth for males was Switzerland (82.4 years), and for females was Japan (87.1 years) (Table S9.3).

Figure 9.5: Life expectancy (years) at birth by sex, OECD countries, 2023 (or nearest available year)

The bar chart shows that Australia is ranked 10th overall amongst OECD countries for life expectancy at birth in 2023. Switzerland, Japan and Spain have the highest overall life expectancies.

The bar chart shows that Australia is ranked 10th overall amongst OECD countries for life expectancy at birth in 2023. Switzerland, Japan and Spain have the highest overall life expectancies.

Source: OECD (2026).

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