Death Statistics in Australia

The AIHW Deaths snapshot presents the latest data on deaths in Australia including information on age at death, trends over time, causes of death and life expectancy. Looking at how many people die and what caused their death can provide vital information about the health of a population. Examining patterns and trends in deaths can help explain differences and changes in the health of a population, contribute to the evaluation of health strategies and interventions, and guide planning and policy-making.

It shows that chronic diseases-such as heart disease, dementia, cancers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-feature much more prominently among people aged 45 and over, and external causes, such as transport accidents and suicide, are the leading causes of death among people aged 1-44.