Health in Greater Sydney, Australia: official figures
58,122 births were registered to mothers living in Greater Sydney in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 1.44 births per woman, below the national figure (1.54). Boundary: Greater Sydney, the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area (the city and its commuting zone).
What is the death rate in Greater Sydney?
31,763 deaths were registered in Greater Sydney 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 Greater Sydney have a long-term health condition?
34.9% of residents of Greater Sydney reported at least one long-term health condition at the 2021 Census, 5th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (39.8%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Sydney have mental health problems?
6.6% of residents of Greater Sydney had a mental health condition (including depression or anxiety) at the 2021 Census, 3rd lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (8.8%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Sydney have arthritis?
6.7% of residents of Greater Sydney had arthritis at the 2021 Census, 8th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (8.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Sydney have asthma?
6.8% of residents of Greater Sydney had asthma at the 2021 Census, 8th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (8.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Sydney have diabetes?
4.6% of residents of Greater Sydney had diabetes at the 2021 Census, joint 11th highest of 31 areas, below the national figure (4.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Sydney have heart disease?
3.4% of residents of Greater Sydney had heart disease (including heart attack or angina) at the 2021 Census, joint 10th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (3.9%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Sydney have cancer?
2.4% of residents of Greater Sydney had cancer (including remission) at the 2021 Census, 6th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (2.9%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Sydney have dementia?
0.7% of residents of Greater Sydney had dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) at the 2021 Census, joint 10th lowest of 31 areas, about the same as the national figure (0.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Sydney have lung disease?
1.2% of residents of Greater Sydney 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 Sydney need help with daily activities?
5.2% of residents of Greater Sydney 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 Sydney have private health insurance?
About 36 in every 100 residents of Greater Sydney had private health insurance in 2021-22 (1,896,207 people reported cover; Australia 34), 10th highest of 26 areas.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Sydney are unpaid carers?
10.6% of residents of Greater Sydney 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 Sydney compares with other cities in Australia
Age-standardised death rate per 1,000 people, 2024 (2024)
Greater Sydney ranks 20 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 23 | Sydney | 4.8 |
Residents with a long-term health condition, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Sydney ranks 27 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 30 | Sydney | 32.8% |
Residents with a mental health condition, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Sydney ranks 29 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 Sydney: 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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