14.6% of liveborn low birthweight babies weighed less than 1,500 grams and 6.4% of liveborn low birthweight babies weighed less than 1,000 grams.
Pre-term birth is closely linked with low birthweight—over two thirds (68%) of liveborn low birthweight babies were pre-term (gestational age before 37 completed weeks) and more than half (57%) of pre-term babies were of low birthweight.
The proportion of liveborn low birthweight babies was higher among babies born to mothers who lived in the lowest socioeconomic areas (8.0%) than babies born to mothers who lived in the highest socioeconomic areas (5.6%).
Internationally, the proportion of low birthweight babies in Australia in 2017 or nearest year (6.5%) was equal to the OECD average (6.5%), with Australia ranked equal 19th of 36 OECD countries (OECD 2019).
For more information on birthweight see National Perinatal Data Collection annual update data tables 3.9 and 3.10.
For related information see National Core Maternity Indicator Small babies among births at or after 40 weeks of gestation
References
OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) 2019. Health at a glance 2019: OECD indicators. Paris: OECD Publishing. Viewed 13 April 2021.