November 25, 2009
Embargoed 11.30 am AEDT
89/2009
Death rates steady: ABS
Death rates in Australia have remained steady over recent years, according to figures released
today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
The standardised death rate was 6 deaths per 1000 people in 2008 - unchanged since 2005.
Twenty years ago, the rate was 9 deaths per 1000 people.
There were 143,900 deaths (73,500 men and 70,400 women) registered in 2008.
There was a small increase (1.9%) in the number of infant deaths from 2007, but this reflects a
higher number of births. The actual infant mortality rate has decreased slightly, from 4.2 deaths
per 1,000 births in 2007 to 4.1 in 2008.
Infant mortality rates for Indigenous Australians were around twice the rates for all Australians.
Further details are available in Deaths, Australia, 2008 (cat. no. 3302.0) available for free
Regional, state and territory information is also available.
Media Note: The standardised death rate removes the effect of different age structures in different
populations.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Media requests and interviews
Corporate Communications 1300 175 070
Statistical Clarification
Tracey Coomber (02) 6252 5406
NEWS 
