New estimates of Indigenous life expectancy released: ABS
Life expectancy at birth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) Australians was 67.2
years for men and 72.9 years for women for 2005–2007, according to experimental figures
released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
The ABS reported that the life expectancy of Indigenous men is 11.5 years lower than for non-
Indigenous men, while life expectancy of Indigenous women is 9.7 years lower than for non-
Indigenous women.
In releasing the data today, the ABS noted that the life expectancy estimates were derived using a
new method which drew on information from the ABS Indigenous Mortality Quality Study
conducted in 2006-07 as part of the Census Data Enhancement Project. The availability of that
information considerably improved the quality and robustness of the estimates. Previously
published Indigenous life expectancy estimates had been derived using methods based on a range
of assumptions and those estimates were very sensitive to the assumptions made.
Australian Statistician Brian Pink said "The ABS has made significant improvements to statistics
about a matter of national concern," but he warned, "due to the considerable methodological
changes, the current estimates can’t be compared with the previously published 1996-2001 life
expectancy estimates and the differences in the estimates should not be interpreted as changes in
Indigenous life expectancy over time".
At the state/territory level, estimates could only be compiled for New South Wales, Queensland,
Western Australia and Northern Territory. Of these New South Wales had the highest life
expectancy for Indigenous men (69.9 years) and women (75.0 years). The Northern Territory had
the lowest life expectancy for Indigenous men (61.5 years) and women (69.2 years).
Further details are available in Experimental Life Tables for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Australians, 2005–2007 (cat. no. 3302.0.55.003) available for free download from the ABS website
Media Notes-
Life expectancy at birth refers to the average number of years a group of new-born babies could
expect to live, if they experienced the 2005–2007 death rates throughout their lifetimes. This does
not equate to how long any one person or group of persons will actually live, as life expectancy is
calculated using current death rates and does not account for any future changes in death rates.
Please ensure when reporting on ABS data that you attribute the Australian Bureau of
Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Media requests and interviews:
Corporate Communications 1300 175 070
Statistical clarification:
Matthew Montgomery (02) 6252 6487
25 May, 2009
Embargoed 11.30 am (AEST)
30/2009
NEWS 
