In 2023, Australia's fertility rate reached its lowest ever figure, at fewer than 1.5 children born per women of childbearing age. In general, Australia’s fertility rate has been fairly consistent throughout the past four decades, fluctuating between 1.7 and two births per woman, however the recent drop in fertility may be a result of the Covid-19 pandemic - it remains to be seen what the full extent of the pandemic will be on demographic trends. Population aging in Australia Like most other developed nations, Australia has been experiencing population ageing, driven by declining fertility rate and increased longevity, with an average life expectancy at birth of 83 years in 2020. Amid the pandemic, Australia also witnessed a noticeable decrease in the number of births to approximately 294.4 thousand, the lowest value since 2011. “No kids attached” Childfree couples could become the norm in Australia, as couples living without children are expected to become Australia’s most common family type in a few years’ time. While many families may suffer from involuntary childlessness, other couples would opt for a childfree life for various reasons. Especially in times of COVID-19, couples might not want to risk having children with increasing job insecurity.

The fertility rate of a country is the average number of children that women from that country will have throughout their reproductive years. In 1800, Australian women of childbearing age would go on to have approximately 6.5 children on average over the course of their lifetime, and this number decreased gradually to just below five in the early 1850s. Over the next ten years the fertility rate increased to 5.7 children per woman, as an influx of migrants arrived on the continent during the Australian gold rushes, however the fertility rate dropped from 1860 until 1935, when it was then just 2.2 children per woman, although there was a small baby boom after the First World War. Australia's fertility rate did rise during the global 'Baby Boom' after the Second World War, reaching 3.4 in the 1960s, but it then dropped to two children per woman in 1980, and it has plateaued just under this number until today.

Australia: Fertility rate, births per woman: The latest value from 2022 is 1.63 births per woman, a decline from 1.7 births per woman in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 2.51 births per woman, based on data from 192 countries. Historically, the average for Australia from 1960 to 2022 is 2.12 births per woman. The minimum value, 1.58 births per woman, was reached in 2020 while the maximum of 3.54 births per woman was recorded in 1961.

Graph and download economic data for Adolescent Fertility Rate for Australia (SPADOTFRTAUS) from 1960 to 2023 about 15 to 19 years, fertility, Australia, and rate.

Fertility rate, total (births per woman) in Australia was reported at 1.5 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Australia - Fertility rate, total (births per woman) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

According to the Fertility Society of Australia, one in six Australian couples face infertility issues. The Fertility Clinics industry assists patients who are having difficulty with or inability to conceive naturally. The industry includes numerous treatment options, the most popular being in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles. Several factors have driven demand for fertility treatments and procedures in recent years, particularly from women who are having children later in life. Australia is one of the few economically advanced countries in the world that have significant government funding for fertility treatments, which makes industry treatments more affordable. One in eighteen babies born in Australia are with IVF. A rising maternal age and an expanding number of ancillary services have influenced industry performance in recent years, along with higher success rates thanks to new technologies and frozen embryo use. The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant industry disruptions, although the industry has since bounced back, with stimulated cycle numbers now tracking above pre-pandemic levels. Industry revenue growth is expected to be a healthy annualised 3.9% over the five years through 2024-25, to reach $810.0 million. This includes expected revenue growth of 2.3% in 2024-25, driven by higher volumes and prices. Higher prices will help offset cost inflationary pressures, which are currently weighing down profit margins. Greater awareness and higher treatment success rates will help drive performance in the coming years. Further medical science advancements in infertility treatments are likely to occur, particularly as IVF providers incorporate new specialised diagnostic tests and gene-based technologies, including pre-implantation genetic screening and next-generation sequencing. An upwards maternal age trend is forecast to continue driving industry growth, as will increased demand from same-sex couples and single parents. Although the industry's major players will remain dominant when providing a full suite of services, more avenues are opening for small fertility clinics to target niche segments. Some industry providers may expand through international acquisitions or through the provision of associated ancillary services. Industry revenue is forecast to climb an annualised 2.7% over the five years through 2029-30, to an estimated $927.5 million.

Graph and download economic data for Fertility Rate, Total for Australia (SPDYNTFRTINAUS) from 1960 to 2023 about fertility, Australia, and rate.

In the Australian state of Queensland, about 1.64 children were born per woman in the period of 2022-2023. This figure represents a slight increase compared to the previous year.

In the Australian state of Victoria, about 1.52 children were born per average woman in the period of 2022-2023. This figure represents a slight decrease compared to the previous year.

Historical dataset showing Australia fertility rate by year from 1950 to 2025.

In the Northern Territory in Australia, about 1.66 children were born per woman in the period of 2022-2023. This figure represents a slight increase compared to the previous year.

In the Australian Capital Territory, about 1.35 children were born per woman in the period of 2022 to 2023. This figure represents a slight decrease compared to the previous year.

This statistic displays the total fertility rate in Western Australia from 2009-2010 to 2017-2018. According to the source, on average about 1.81 children were born per woman in Western Australia in 2017-2018.

Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 women ages 15-19) in Australia was reported at 6.715 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Australia - Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 women ages 15-19) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on August of 2025.

Australia Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data was reported at 1.500 Ratio in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.630 Ratio for 2022. Australia Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data is updated yearly, averaging 1.897 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.540 Ratio in 1961 and a record low of 1.500 Ratio in 2023. Australia Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Total fertility rate represents the number of children that would be born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her childbearing years and bear children in accordance with age-specific fertility rates of the specified year.;(1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2024 Revision; (2) Statistical databases and publications from national statistical offices; (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics.;Weighted average;Relevance to gender indicator: it can indicate the status of women within households and a woman’s decision about the number and spacing of children.

This dataset is about countries per year in Australia and New Zealand. It has 128 rows. It features 3 columns: country, and fertility rate.

This dataset contains statistics about births and fertility rates for Australia, states and territories, and sub-state regions. It includes all births that occurred and were registered in Australia, including births to mothers whose place of usual residence was overseas. Estimated resident populations (ERPs) are used as denominators to calculate fertility rates and are based on the results of the 2016 Census. This dataset uses the ABS Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) boundaries of the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) 2016. For more information such as the scope, coverage and exclusions used in this dataset please visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) methodology documentation. AURIN has spatially enabled the original data from the ABS with the 2016 SA2 boundaries.

In Australia Fertility Market is projected to grow from USD 28.4 billion in 2025 to USD 51.9 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 10.5%

Australia Fertility Rate: per Woman data was reported at 1.700 NA in 2100. This stayed constant from the previous number of 1.700 NA for 2099. Australia Fertility Rate: per Woman data is updated yearly, averaging 1.710 NA from Jun 1986 (Median) to 2100, with 115 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.990 NA in 2008 and a record low of 1.700 NA in 2100. Australia Fertility Rate: per Woman data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.US Census Bureau: Demographic Projection.

Fertility rate of women aged 15 to 49 years is compiled from births data, 2006 to 2011: Births, Australia, 2011 (ABS Cat. no. 3301.0).