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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Population Trends

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Australia has shown notable trends and developments in recent years. As of June 2021, approximately 984,000 people identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, representing 3.8% of the total Australian population, up from 2.8% in 2016. The population is relatively young, with a median age of 24 years compared to 38 years for the non-Indigenous population​ (Australian Bureau of Statistics)​​ (AIHW)​.





Key Trends and Statistics:

  1. Geographic Distribution:

  • The majority of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population resides in New South Wales (33.2%) and Queensland (28.3%). A significant proportion also lives in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, where Indigenous people make up about 30% of the population​ (IWGIA)​​ (AIHW)​.

  • There is a growing trend towards urbanization, with 39% living in major cities, 44% in inner and outer regional areas, and 17% in remote and very remote areas​ (AIHW)​.

  1. Age Structure:

  • The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is characterized by a younger age structure compared to the non-Indigenous population. About one-third (33%) are under 15 years of age, compared to 18% of the non-Indigenous population in the same age group​ (AIHW)​​ (Australian Bureau of Statistics)​.

  1. Growth and Projections:

  • The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is growing at a faster rate than the non-Indigenous population, with significant growth projected in urban areas such as the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria​ (IWGIA)​​ (Australian Bureau of Statistics)​.

  • The population is projected to reach around 1.1 million by 2031 based on current trends​ (Australian Bureau of Statistics)​.

  1. Health and Socioeconomic Indicators:

  • Health outcomes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people show both improvements and ongoing challenges. There has been a decrease in smoking rates and an increase in home ownership rates. However, chronic health conditions and mental health issues remain prevalent​ (IWGIA)​​ (Australian Bureau of Statistics)​.

  • Education levels have improved, with an increase in the proportion of people obtaining higher education qualifications​ (Australian Bureau of Statistics)​.

  1. Cultural and Language Preservation:

Over 150 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are spoken, with an increase in the number of people reporting the use of Indigenous languages at home. Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole) is the most commonly spoken language​  (Australian Bureau of Statistics)​​ (IWGIA)​.


These trends highlight the dynamic and evolving nature of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Australia, emphasizing the importance of targeted policies and programs to support their health, education, and cultural preservation.


1. Age Distribution:

Age Group (Years)

% of Total Population (2021)

0-4

10.6%

5-9

10.9%

10-14

11.1%

15-19

9.8%

20-24

8.6%

25-29

7.8%

30-34

6.8%

35-39

5.8%

40-44

5.2%

45-49

5.1%

50-54

4.9%

55-59

4.2%

60-64

3.5%

65-69

2.4%

70-74

1.6%

75+

1.7%

2. Geographic Distribution:

  • New South Wales (NSW): 33.2%

  • Queensland (QLD): 28.3%

  • Western Australia (WA): 12.5%

  • Northern Territory (NT): 30% of NT population


3. Population Growth:

  • 2016 Census: 649,171 people identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

  • 2021 Census: 812,728 people identified, representing 3.2% of the total population.

  • Projections: Expected to reach approximately 1.1 million by 2031.


4. Language and Cultural Preservation:

  • Number of Languages: Over 150 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages spoken.

  • Most Common Language: Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole).

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