Politics
Australia's deaths to outnumber births by 2060s, Treasury forecast says
September 21, 2026 at 09:58 AM
Coverage
4 reports · over 7 hours
TGThe Guardian
Think Australia would be better off with less migration? The numbers tell a different story
(opens the publisher’s site)
AJAl Jazeera English
Australia’s deaths to outnumber births by 2060s, report says
(opens the publisher’s site)
TGThe Guardian
Universal early childhood education better than baby bonus to increase Australia’s birthrate, Labor says
(opens the publisher’s site)
TGThe Guardian
More Australians will be dying than being born in 40 years as major report predicts future of lower growth
(opens the publisher’s site)Australia's Treasury has projected that deaths will outnumber births for the first time by the 2060s, as the population ages and fertility declines.
- Treasury released its Intergenerational Report on Monday, forecasting deaths to outnumber births by the 2060s and a population of 39.3 million by 2065-66.
- The report projected the fertility rate to fall to 1.34 and the number of Australians aged 85 or older to triple by 2065-66.
- Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Australia is better prepared than most countries but cannot be complacent.
- Labor ruled out a new "baby bonus," with finance minister Katy Gallagher saying the government will not revisit the policy.
- Treasury's intergenerational report argued migration is crucial for economic growth and funding an ageing population.
- Lower migration would cut real GDP per person by $400 by 2065-66 and increase the aged dependency ratio.
- Treasurer Jim Chalmers declined to offer policy advice on family size.