There are warnings that Australia’s birth rate — having hit a record low — is now at a critical level.
Bureau of Statistics figures show 286,998 births were registered in Australia in 2023, resulting in a total fertility rate of 1.50 babies per woman.
The birth rate for girls and women aged 15 to 19 has fallen by more than two thirds over that period.
There’s also been a large decline for women aged 20 to 24 years.
On the flipside, the fertility rate of women aged 40 to 44 years has almost doubled over the past 30 years.
Official figures show the median birth age of mothers has also now risen to 32.
Source: Australia’s birth rate hits rock bottom with severe consequences for economic future – ABC News