Health in Northern Territory, Australia: official figures
Boys born in the Northern Territory can expect to live 77.0 years and girls 80.7 years (life expectancy at birth, 2022-2024), compared with 81.1 and 85.1 years for Australia; for males the Northern Territory ranks the lowest of 8, for females the lowest of 8.
How long do people live after 65 in Northern Territory?
A person aged 65 in the Northern Territory can expect to live a further 18.5 years (male) or 20.9 years (female), against 20.1 and 22.7 years nationally (2022-2024 life tables).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the death rate in Northern Territory?
The age-standardised death rate in the Northern Territory was 6.9 deaths per 1,000 people in 2024, the highest of 8 states and territories.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the birth rate in Northern Territory?
The total fertility rate in the Northern Territory was 1.64 babies per woman in 2024, and 3,521 births were registered.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Northern Territory have a mental health condition?
At the 2021 Census 5.2% of people in the Northern Territory reported a long-term mental health condition (including depression or anxiety), 4.3% diabetes and 3.1% heart disease.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat are the most common health conditions in Northern Territory?
64.4% of people in the Northern Territory reported no long-term health condition at the 2021 Census (the highest of 8 states and territories); 4.5% reported arthritis, 5.6% asthma and 1.6% cancer (including remission).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Northern Territory need help with daily activities?
3.6% of people in the Northern Territory needed help with core daily activities because of a disability or long-term condition at the 2021 Census (the lowest of 8 states and territories).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Northern Territory have private health insurance?
About 26.5% of people in the Northern Territory had private health insurance in 2022 (67,086 people, tax-return data compared with the estimated population).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Northern Territory compares with other territories
Life expectancy at birth, females, 2022-2024 (years) (2022-2024)
Northern Territory ranks 8 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth, females, 2022-2024 (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Western Australia | 85.7 |
| 3 | Victoria | 85.4 |
| 4 | New South Wales | 85.3 |
| 5 | South Australia | 84.9 |
| 6 | Queensland | 84.7 |
| 7 | Tasmania | 83.7 |
| 8 | Northern Territory | 80.7 |
Life expectancy at birth, males, 2022-2024 (years) (2022-2024)
Northern Territory ranks 8 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth, males, 2022-2024 (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Western Australia | 81.5 |
| 3 | Victoria | 81.5 |
| 4 | New South Wales | 81.2 |
| 5 | South Australia | 80.9 |
| 6 | Queensland | 80.5 |
| 7 | Tasmania | 80.3 |
| 8 | Northern Territory | 77.0 |
Age-standardised death rate, 2024 (per 1,000 people) (2024)
Northern Territory ranks 1 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Age-standardised death rate, 2024 (per 1,000 people) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Territory | 6.9 |
| 2 | Tasmania | 5.8 |
| 3 | Queensland | 5.5 |
| 4 | South Australia | 5.4 |
| 5 | New South Wales | 5.3 |
| 6 | Victoria | 5.2 |
| 7 | Western Australia | 4.9 |
People with a long-term mental health condition, Census 2021 (2021)
Northern Territory ranks 8 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | People with a long-term mental health condition, Census 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Australian Capital Territory | 10.0% |
| 3 | South Australia | 9.8% |
| 4 | Queensland | 9.6% |
| 5 | Victoria | 8.8% |
| 6 | Western Australia | 8.3% |
| 7 | New South Wales | 8.0% |
| 8 | Northern Territory | 5.2% |
More on Northern Territory: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · Australia
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Census of Population and Housing 2021, state and territory results (via ABS Data by region): health conditions, education, housing costs, homelessness, disadvantage, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7f6d87de31d5…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Life expectancy 2022-2024: life tables by state and territory of usual residence, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b8ed69c08132…)
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