Deaths forecast to outpace births in Australia for first time in Intergenerational Report
Australia's latest Intergenerational Report projects that deaths will outpace births by the 2060s, leading to a shrinking population without migration. The report highlights an aging demographic, with the old-age dependency ratio expected to rise significantly by 2066.
Why it matters
This demographic shift poses long-term risks to Australia's federal budget, workforce sustainability, and economic productivity.
Australia is aging faster than was forecast three years ago, accelerating the strain an aging population is expected to put on workers and the federal budget. ( Pexels : Matthias Zomer ; licence )
Link copied Share Share article For the first time, Australia has a projected date when deaths will outpace births.
Japan, Italy and South Korea have already passed the point where their populations are no longer growing thanks to 'natural increase', and from the 2060s onwards Australia will join them, meaning the population will shrink without ongoing migration.
Australians are getting much older and having fewer babies, with both of these trends accelerating according to the latest Intergenerational Report released today.
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