Australia: health and care

What is the leading cause of death in Australia?

Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, was Australia's leading cause of death in 2024, accounting for 9.4% of deaths (17,550), according to the ABS Causes of Death release. Ischaemic heart diseases were second (8.7%; 16,326), followed by chronic lower respiratory diseases, cerebrovascular diseases and lung cancer.

2024 was the first year in which dementia caused over 1,000 more deaths than ischaemic heart disease, which is at its lowest rate in the time series. Between 2015 and 2024 dementia deaths rose 38.8%. COVID-19 fell to 12th. Data for recent years are revised as coroner investigations close; the 2025 data are due on 27 October 2026.

Official sources: ABS: Causes of Death, Australia, 2024

How many people die in Australia each year?

There were 187,268 registered deaths in Australia in 2024, an increase of 4,137 on 2023, according to the ABS. Most deaths (about 88% each year) are certified by a doctor; the rest are referred to a coroner.

The figures count deaths registered in the year, which can include some deaths that occurred earlier. The number of deaths rises as the population grows and ages, so age-standardised death rates are a better guide to trends. Accidental falls were the 8th leading cause of death in 2024, up from 11th a decade earlier, and the number of fall deaths rose 58.3% since 2015.

Official sources: ABS: Causes of Death, Australia, 2024

What is the obesity rate in Australia?

Almost two thirds (65.8%) of Australian adults were overweight or obese in 2022, according to the ABS National Health Survey. More than two in three adults (67.9%) had a measured waist circumference that put them at increased risk of disease.

The figures are based on measured height, weight and waist circumference, not self-report. Overweight and obesity are defined using Body Mass Index (BMI) thresholds. The ABS has not set a date for the next release of these statistics.

Official sources: ABS: Waist circumference and BMI, 2022

How many Australians delay seeing a GP?

26.6% of people delayed or did not see a GP when they needed to in 2024-25, down from 29.2% in 2023-24, according to the ABS Patient Experiences survey. Two in three people (67.2%) could always see their preferred GP when needed, and 22.5% used telehealth.

In 2024-25, 83.4% of people saw a GP, 40.4% saw a medical specialist and 15.5% visited a hospital emergency department. The survey covers people aged 15 and over living in private dwellings and asks about their experiences in the previous 12 months.

Official sources: ABS: Patient Experiences, 2024-25

How long is the wait for surgery in Australia?

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) publishes waiting times for elective surgery in public hospitals, including the median days waited, the 90th percentile and the share who waited more than a year, by state, hospital, specialty and procedure. Its site could not be read by automated check on 14 October 2026, so no figure is quoted here.

The AIHW measures waits from when a patient is added to the list to when they are admitted, so the figures describe people who have had surgery, not those still waiting. Most elective surgery in Australia takes place in private hospitals, which are not covered by these waiting list figures. State health departments also publish their own quarterly waiting times.

Official sources: AIHW: Elective surgery waiting times

What is life expectancy in Australia?

According to the UN Population Division, life expectancy at birth in Australia was 83.1 years in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 83.3 years; its low point was 2005, at 80.8 years. East Asia & Pacific median: 71.5 years; Australia is 4th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 17th of 193.

What is the infant mortality rate in Australia?

In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Australia was 3.1 per 1,000, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 13.9 per 1,000; Australia is 27th highest of 30. Worldwide: 165th of 192.

What is maternal mortality in Australia?

According to the WHO, the maternal mortality ratio in Australia was 2.0 per 100,000 in 2023. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 30th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 82.0 per 100,000. Worldwide: 188th of 192.

What share of GDP does Australia spend on health care?

According to the WHO, current health spending in Australia was 10.4% of GDP in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 10.7% of GDP; its low point was 2005, at 8.0% of GDP. It is 8th highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 5.9% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 23rd of 191.

How much do people in Australia pay for health care themselves?

In 2023, out-of-pocket health spending in Australia was 15.8%, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 14.5% (2021) to 19.9% (2012). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 12.2%, and Australia placed 12th highest of 29. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 138th highest.

How many doctors does Australia have?

The WHO puts the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Australia at 4.1 per 1,000 in 2022. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.6 per 1,000, and Australia placed 2nd highest of 11. World rank, highest first: 24th of 125.

How many hospital beds does Australia have?

In 2016, hospital beds per 1,000 people in Australia was 3.8 per 1,000, according to the WHO. The peak was 3.9 per 1,000 in 2006 and the low 3.7 per 1,000 in 2013. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.5 per 1,000, and Australia placed 5th highest of 17. Worldwide: 45th of 140.

How many children in Australia are vaccinated against measles?

In 2024, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Australia was 91.0%, according to WHO and UNICEF. That is the lowest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 91.0%; Australia is 15th highest of 30. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 87th highest.