Health in Greater Darwin, Australia: official figures
2,113 births were registered to mothers living in Greater Darwin in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 1.62 births per woman, above the national figure (1.54). Boundary: Greater Darwin, the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area (the city and its commuting zone).
What is the death rate in Greater Darwin?
641 deaths were registered in Greater Darwin in 2024. After adjusting for age, the death rate was 5.6 per 1,000 people, joint 11th highest of 26 areas, above the national figure (5.3).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Darwin have a long-term health condition?
35.5% of residents of Greater Darwin reported at least one long-term health condition at the 2021 Census, 6th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (39.8%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Darwin have mental health problems?
5.9% of residents of Greater Darwin had a mental health condition (including depression or anxiety) at the 2021 Census, 2nd lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (8.8%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Darwin have arthritis?
5.3% of residents of Greater Darwin had arthritis at the 2021 Census, joint 4th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (8.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Darwin have asthma?
6.1% of residents of Greater Darwin had asthma at the 2021 Census, joint 3rd lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (8.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Darwin have diabetes?
3.7% of residents of Greater Darwin had diabetes at the 2021 Census, joint 9th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (4.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Darwin have heart disease?
2.4% of residents of Greater Darwin had heart disease (including heart attack or angina) at the 2021 Census, 4th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (3.9%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Darwin have cancer?
1.9% of residents of Greater Darwin had cancer (including remission) at the 2021 Census, joint 2nd lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (2.9%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Darwin have dementia?
0.4% of residents of Greater Darwin had dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) at the 2021 Census, joint 4th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (0.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Darwin have lung disease?
1.2% of residents of Greater Darwin had a lung condition (including COPD or emphysema) at the 2021 Census, joint 6th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (1.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Darwin need help with daily activities?
3.7% of residents of Greater Darwin 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 Greater Darwin have private health insurance?
About 35 in every 100 residents of Greater Darwin had private health insurance in 2021-22 (52,456 people reported cover; Australia 34), 13th lowest of 26 areas.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Darwin are unpaid carers?
9.0% of residents of Greater Darwin gave unpaid help to a person with a disability at the 2021 Census, below the national figure (11.9%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Greater Darwin compares with other cities in Australia
Age-standardised death rate per 1,000 people, 2024 (2024)
Greater Darwin ranks 12 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Darwin | 5.7 |
| 10 | Hobart | 5.7 |
| 11 | Wollongong | 5.6 |
| 12 | Greater Darwin | 5.6 |
| 13 | Greater Brisbane | 5.4 |
| 14 | Toowoomba | 5.4 |
| 15 | Melbourne | 5.4 |
Residents with a long-term health condition, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Darwin ranks 26 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Greater Melbourne | 36.6% |
| 24 | Brisbane | 36.4% |
| 25 | Adelaide | 35.6% |
| 26 | Greater Darwin | 35.5% |
| 27 | Greater Sydney | 34.9% |
| 28 | Darwin | 33.9% |
| 29 | Perth | 33.8% |
Residents with a mental health condition, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Darwin ranks 30 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Greater Melbourne | 8.1% |
| 26 | Melbourne | 8.1% |
| 27 | Perth | 8.1% |
| 28 | Cairns | 7.9% |
| 29 | Greater Sydney | 6.6% |
| 30 | Greater Darwin | 5.9% |
| 31 | Darwin | 5.6% |
More on Greater Darwin: 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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