Fertility Rate: Australia
Australia's fertility rate is currently 1.481 births per woman as of 2024. # Australia Fertility Rate Australia's fertility rate stands at 1.
Current (2024)
1.481 births per woman
-1.2% y/y
Peak (1961)
3.54 births per woman
Low (2024)
1.481 births per woman
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Fertility Rate — Australia
1960 — 2024
Fertility Rate — Australia
Analysis# Australia Fertility Rate
Australia's fertility rate stands at 1.481 births per woman in 2024, marking an all-time low and representing a dramatic 57.1% decline since 1960. The country's peak fertility occurred during the post-war baby boom era, reaching 3.54 births per woman in 1961. Over six decades, Australia has transitioned from a high-fertility to a low-fertility nation, now sitting well below the 2.1 replacement level required to maintain population growth without immigration.
The recent decade reveals accelerating decline, particularly since 2015 when the rate was 1.814. Australia experienced a notable dip during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020: 1.581), followed by a brief recovery in 2021 (1.7), before resuming its downward trajectory. The persistent decline to the current record low suggests Australia's fertility rate will likely remain depressed, driven by factors including delayed childbearing, increased workforce participation, and changing family preferences.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1.481 births per woman | -1.20% |
| 2023 | 1.499 births per woman | -8.04% |
| 2022 | 1.63 births per woman | -4.12% |
| 2021 | 1.7 births per woman | +7.53% |
| 2020 | 1.581 births per woman | -4.59% |
| 2019 | 1.657 births per woman | -4.77% |
| 2018 | 1.74 births per woman | -0.06% |
| 2017 | 1.741 births per woman | -0.63% |
| 2016 | 1.752 births per woman | -3.42% |
| 2015 | 1.814 births per woman | -0.66% |
| 2014 | 1.826 births per woman | -1.56% |
| 2013 | 1.855 births per woman | -3.39% |
| 2012 | 1.92 births per woman | -0.31% |
| 2011 | 1.926 births per woman | -0.10% |
| 2010 | 1.928 births per woman | -2.18% |
| 2009 | 1.971 births per woman | -0.66% |
| 2008 | 1.984 births per woman | +1.28% |
| 2007 | 1.959 births per woman | +2.67% |
| 2006 | 1.908 births per woman | +5.59% |
| 2005 | 1.807 births per woman | +2.21% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1.768 births per woman | +1.14% |
| 2003 | 1.748 births per woman | -0.46% |
| 2002 | 1.756 births per woman | +0.98% |
| 2001 | 1.739 births per woman | -0.97% |
| 2000 | 1.756 births per woman | +0.06% |
| 1999 | 1.755 births per woman | -0.40% |
| 1998 | 1.762 births per woman | -0.90% |
| 1997 | 1.778 births per woman | -1.00% |
| 1996 | 1.796 births per woman | -1.43% |
| 1995 | 1.822 births per woman | -1.09% |
| 1994 | 1.842 births per woman | -0.91% |
| 1993 | 1.859 births per woman | -1.54% |
| 1992 | 1.888 births per woman | +2.11% |
| 1991 | 1.849 births per woman | -2.79% |
| 1990 | 1.902 births per woman | +3.48% |
| 1989 | 1.838 births per woman | +0.38% |
| 1988 | 1.831 births per woman | -0.76% |
| 1987 | 1.845 births per woman | -1.23% |
| 1986 | 1.868 births per woman | -2.86% |
| 1985 | 1.923 births per woman | +4.51% |
| 1984 | 1.84 births per woman | -4.37% |
| 1983 | 1.924 births per woman | -0.26% |
| 1982 | 1.929 births per woman | -0.31% |
| 1981 | 1.935 births per woman | +2.33% |
| 1980 | 1.891 births per woman | -0.84% |
| 1979 | 1.907 births per woman | -2.15% |
| 1978 | 1.949 births per woman | -2.89% |
| 1977 | 2.007 births per woman | -2.57% |
| 1976 | 2.06 births per woman | -4.10% |
| 1975 | 2.148 births per woman | -10.39% |
| 1974 | 2.397 births per woman | -3.77% |
| 1973 | 2.491 births per woman | -9.22% |
| 1972 | 2.744 births per woman | -7.33% |
| 1971 | 2.961 births per woman | +3.57% |
| 1970 | 2.859 births per woman | -0.94% |
| 1969 | 2.886 births per woman | -0.07% |
| 1968 | 2.888 births per woman | +1.40% |
| 1967 | 2.848 births per woman | -1.15% |
| 1966 | 2.881 births per woman | -3.22% |
| 1965 | 2.977 births per woman | -5.37% |
| 1964 | 3.146 births per woman | -5.58% |
| 1963 | 3.332 births per woman | -3.20% |
| 1962 | 3.442 births per woman | -2.77% |
| 1961 | 3.54 births per woman | +2.52% |
| 1960 | 3.453 births per woman | — |
Related Data
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For Australia
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Demographics
People & population data