Health in Canberra, Australia: official figures
5,215 births were registered to mothers living in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 1.34 births per woman, below the national figure (1.54). Boundary: the whole Australian Capital Territory (Canberra has no city council, so the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area is the territory).
What is the death rate in Canberra?
2,413 deaths were registered in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) in 2024. After adjusting for age, the death rate was 4.9 per 1,000 people, joint 6th lowest of 26 areas, below the national figure (5.3).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra have a long-term health condition?
39.0% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) reported at least one long-term health condition at the 2021 Census, 12th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (39.8%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra have mental health problems?
10.0% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) had a mental health condition (including depression or anxiety) at the 2021 Census, 16th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (8.8%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra have arthritis?
7.7% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) had arthritis at the 2021 Census, 12th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (8.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra have asthma?
9.0% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) had asthma at the 2021 Census, 9th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (8.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra have diabetes?
3.9% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) had diabetes at the 2021 Census, joint 11th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (4.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra have heart disease?
3.1% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) had heart disease (including heart attack or angina) at the 2021 Census, 7th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (3.9%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra have cancer?
2.7% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) had cancer (including remission) at the 2021 Census, joint 9th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (2.9%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra have dementia?
0.6% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) had dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) at the 2021 Census, joint 7th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (0.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra have lung disease?
1.3% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) had a lung condition (including COPD or emphysema) at the 2021 Census, joint 9th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (1.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra need help with daily activities?
4.6% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) said they needed help with core activities (self-care, mobility or communication) because of a disability, long-term health condition or old age at the 2021 Census, below the national figure (5.8%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra have private health insurance?
About 44 in every 100 residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) had private health insurance in 2021-22 (201,038 people reported cover; Australia 34), the highest of 26 areas.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra are unpaid carers?
12.0% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) gave unpaid help to a person with a disability at the 2021 Census, above the national figure (11.9%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Canberra compares with other cities in Australia
Age-standardised death rate per 1,000 people, 2024 (2024)
Canberra ranks 19 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Age-standardised death rate per 1,000 people, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Greater Adelaide | 5.3 |
| 17 | Brisbane | 5.1 |
| 18 | Gold Coast | 4.9 |
| 19 | Canberra | 4.9 |
| 20 | Greater Sydney | 4.9 |
| 21 | Greater Melbourne | 4.9 |
| 22 | Sunshine Coast | 4.8 |
Residents with a long-term health condition, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Canberra ranks 20 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Residents with a long-term health condition, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Cairns | 40.0% |
| 18 | Gold Coast | 39.6% |
| 19 | Canberra-Queanbeyan | 39.1% |
| 20 | Canberra | 39.0% |
| 21 | Hobart | 38.9% |
| 22 | Greater Perth | 37.5% |
| 23 | Greater Melbourne | 36.6% |
Residents with a mental health condition, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Canberra ranks 16 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Residents with a mental health condition, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Greater Brisbane | 10.1% |
| 14 | Wollongong | 10.1% |
| 15 | Canberra-Queanbeyan | 10.0% |
| 16 | Canberra | 10.0% |
| 17 | Greater Adelaide | 9.8% |
| 18 | Sunshine Coast | 9.4% |
| 19 | Brisbane | 9.1% |
More on Canberra: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Greater Capital City Statistical Areas and Australia (ASGS Edition 3), all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bf78744b9729…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
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