Deaths data are a vital measure of a population’s health and provide information on patterns of diseases that cause death, by population groups and over time. Examining death patterns can help explain differences and changes in health status, evaluate health strategies, and guide planning and policy-making.
This web report presents updated data to 2021 on deaths, causes of death and life expectancy in Australia.
- Cat. no: PHE 229
Findings from this report:
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In 2021, there were 171,469 deaths registered in Australia
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In 2021, the leading cause of death for males was coronary heart disease (12%)
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In 2021, the leading cause of death for females was dementia including Alzheimer’s disease (13%)
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Over the period 1907 to 2021, the age-standardised death rate fell by 75% in Australia