Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become thin, weak and fragile, such that even a minor bump or accident can cause a broken bone (minimal trauma fracture). Osteopenia is a condition when bone mineral density is lower than normal but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis.

  • Cat. no: PHE 233
Findings from this report:

  • An estimated 924,000 Australians have osteoporosis, representing 3.8% of the population

  • Osteoporosis is most common in older women, affecting over 1 in 4 women aged over 75

  • In 2017–18, there were 6,838 hospitalisations for osteoporosis for people aged 50 and over

  • In 2017–18 there were 93,321 hospitalisations for minimal trauma fractures in people aged 50 and over