Birth rate

In 2020, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females in Australia had a birth rate of 75 per 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females of reproductive age (aged 15 to 44 years). This was higher than the birth rate for non-Indigenous females (55 per 1,000 non-Indigenous females of reproductive age).

Over the 15 year period from 2005 to 2020, the birth rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females has been consistently higher than non-Indigenous females. The birth rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females fluctuated between 68 per 1,000 in 2005 and 77 per 1,000 in 2016, and was 75 per 1,000 in 2020. In comparison the birth rate for non-Indigenous females ranged between 61 per 1,000 in 2015 and 66 per 1,000 in 2007, however, since 2016 the non-Indigenous birth rate has been decreasing every year, and was 55 per 1,000 in 2020.

The data visualisation below shows the birth rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous females who gave birth by state or territory of birth from 2005. To see the national birth rate, click on ‘Australia’ in the legend.

Figure 1: Rate per 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females of reproductive age by state or territory of birth from 2005 to 2020

Line graph of birth rate by state and territory and Indigenous status. The birth rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers increased over time

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Between 2005 and 2020, the birth rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females has decreased for those aged under 20 years (from 36 per 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females of reproductive age in 2005 to 19 per 1,000 in 2020). This pattern was also seen among those aged 20-24 years (decreasing from 62 per 1,000 to 55 per 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females, respectively) but increased for the other maternal age groups.

In comparison, there was a decrease in birth rate for non-Indigenous females of reproductive age for those aged under 20, 20-24 and 25-29, and an increase in birth rate for those aged 30-34, 35-39 and 40 and over. However, these changes over time were not as substantial as those seen for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers.

The data visualisation below shows the birth rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous females who gave birth by maternal age group from 2005.

Figure 2: Rate per 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females of reproductive age by maternal age group from 2005 to 2020

Line graph of birth rate by maternal age and Indigenous status. Birth rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait mothers aged under 20 years decreased.

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In 2020, the birth rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females varied considerably by Indigenous region (IREG), ranging from 106 per 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females of reproductive age in Mount Isa to 44 per 1,000 in Jabiru - Tiwi.

The data visualisation below shows the birth rate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females who gave birth by IREG from 2013.

Figure 3: Rate per 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females of reproductive age by Indigenous region (IREG) from 2013 to 2020

Map for birth rate by Indigenous region (IREG). The birth rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers varied across IREGs in 2020. 

Visualisation not available for printing