Health in Perth, Australia: official figures
187 births were registered to mothers living in the City of Perth in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 0.61 births per woman, below the national figure (1.54). Boundary: the City of Perth local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
What is the death rate in Perth?
115 deaths were registered in the City of Perth in 2024. After adjusting for age, the death rate was 4.5 per 1,000 people, the lowest of 26 areas, below the national figure (5.3).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Perth have a long-term health condition?
33.8% of residents of the City of Perth reported at least one long-term health condition at the 2021 Census, 3rd lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (39.8%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Perth have mental health problems?
8.1% of residents of the City of Perth had a mental health condition (including depression or anxiety) at the 2021 Census, joint 5th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (8.8%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Perth have arthritis?
3.8% of residents of the City of Perth had arthritis at the 2021 Census, 2nd lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (8.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Perth have asthma?
5.7% of residents of the City of Perth had asthma at the 2021 Census, 2nd lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (8.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Perth have diabetes?
2.4% of residents of the City of Perth had diabetes at the 2021 Census, 3rd lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (4.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Perth have heart disease?
2.2% of residents of the City of Perth had heart disease (including heart attack or angina) at the 2021 Census, 3rd lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (3.9%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Perth have cancer?
1.9% of residents of the City of Perth 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 Perth have dementia?
0.3% of residents of the City of Perth had dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) at the 2021 Census, joint lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (0.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Perth have lung disease?
0.8% of residents of the City of Perth had a lung condition (including COPD or emphysema) at the 2021 Census, 2nd lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (1.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Perth need help with daily activities?
2.2% of residents of the City of Perth 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 Perth have a disability?
The ABS modelled that 9.5% of people living in households in the City of Perth had a disability in 2018 (a modelled estimate from the 2018 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Perth have private health insurance?
About 41 in every 100 residents of the City of Perth had private health insurance in 2021-22 (12,472 people reported cover; Australia 34), 4th highest of 26 areas.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Perth are unpaid carers?
5.9% of residents of the City of Perth 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 Perth compares with other cities in Australia
Age-standardised death rate per 1,000 people, 2024 (2024)
Perth ranks 26 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Greater Sydney | 4.9 |
| 21 | Greater Melbourne | 4.9 |
| 22 | Sunshine Coast | 4.8 |
| 23 | Sydney | 4.8 |
| 24 | Greater Perth | 4.8 |
| 25 | Adelaide | 4.6 |
| 26 | Perth | 4.5 |
Residents with a long-term health condition, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Perth 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 long-term health condition, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 31 | Melbourne | 30.6% |
Residents with a mental health condition, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Perth 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 mental health condition, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Greater Perth | 8.4% |
| 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% |
More on Perth: 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: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.