Trends in life expectancy

Life expectancy in Australia has improved substantially for males and females in the last century, particularly life expectancy at birth. The life expectancy of boys and girls born in 2022–2024 is about 30 years longer than those born in 1881–1890 (Figure 9.1).

Life expectancy in Australia decreased slightly across the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2023). This is likely due to the increase in deaths and excess mortality observed in 2022 and 2023 (see Mortality in the context of a pandemic).

Figure 9.1: Life expectancy (years) at birth in Australia, by sex, 1881–1890 to 2022–2024

The line graph shows that life expectancy at birth increased steadily for both males and females in Australia from the late 19th century onwards, with females consistently having higher life expectancy than males.

The line graph shows that life expectancy at birth increased steadily for both males and females in Australia from the late 19th century onwards, with females consistently having higher life expectancy than males.

In Australia, a male born in 2022–2024 can expect to live to 81.1 years and a female to 85.1 years compared to 47.2 years for males and 50.8 years for females born in 1881–1890.

Life expectancy changes with age because, once a population survives the higher-risk periods of infancy, childhood and adolescence, the likelihood of surviving to older ages increases. Life expectancy at different ages can be expressed as the average number of additional years expected to be lived from that age, based on current death rates. For those aged 65 in 2022–2024:

  • men could expect to live another 20.1 years (an expected age at death of 85.1 years)
  • women could expect to live another 22.7 years (an expected age at death of 87.7 years) (Figure 9.2).

Figure 9.2: Life expectancy (years) in Australia, at different ages and by sex, 1881–1890, 1960–1962 and 2022–2024

The line graph shows larger increases in life expectancy at younger ages between the late 1800s, mid‑20th century and recent periods. Life expectancy at birth increased the most over time.

The line graph shows larger increases in life expectancy at younger ages between the late 1800s, mid‑20th century and recent periods. Life expectancy at birth increased the most over time.
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