2-5

2-5. Birth rate

In 2016, there were 19,765 people born in South Australia, into a total population of 1.71 million. This represents a crude rate of 11.5 births per 1000 population.¹
The crude birth rate in South Australia has been very slightly declining since 2008, down from 12.7 births per 1000 population recorded in that year.¹
The national crude birth rate remains above the state rate, but it too has been very slightly declining, down from 14.2 births per 1000 population in 2008 to 12.8 in 2016.¹
Of the states and territories, South Australia recorded the equal lowest (with Tasmania) crude birth rate in 2016.¹

2-5-1 SA

Data source: ABS 2017a

2-5-1 AU

Data source: ABS 2017a

In 2016, there were 957 births registered in South Australia where one or both parents identified themselves as being Aboriginal. This represents 4.8% of the 19,772 total births in this state during that year.²
The trend in recorded Aboriginal births, as a percentage of all births, both in this state and nationally, has been increasing until 2015,with a slight decrease in 2016.²
The Australian Bureau of Statistics caution that, due to changes over time in the completeness and coverage of responses by parents to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander question on the birth registration form, care should be taken when interpreting changes in the data.
Of the states and territories, South Australia ranks second lowest for percentage of Aboriginal births.²

2-5-2 SA

Data source: ABS 2017b

2-5-2 AU

Data source: ABS 2017b

Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS 2017a), 'Table 1.1 Births, Summary, statistical Areas Level 4--2006 to 2016', Births, Australia, 2016, cat. no. 3301.0, viewed 20 August 2018.
Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS 2017b), 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander births and confinements, summary, by state', ABS.Stat (beta), viewed 20 August 2018.