Female population aged between 15 and 45

IBISWorld forecasts the Australian female population aged between 15 and 45 to increase by 0.0% during 2023-24, to reach 5,605,403 people. After several years of strong growth on the back of surging migration and the return of international students, growth in this segment of the population is expected to slow. The trend in population growth is expected to revert back towards the dynamics of an ageing population, slowing growth in this particular segment.

Growth in this demographic slowed abruptly in 1991-92 as the first females of the baby boomer generation began to turn 46 and exit this age group. Despite strong birth rates between 1986-87 and 1990-91, growth in the female population aged between 15 and 45 remained subdued until 2006-07 as the number of females turning 46 continued to offset the number turning 15. The number of people in this demographic fell by less than 0.1% during 1992-93 and growth did not exceed 1.0% again until 2006-07.

Over the past five years, the female population aged between 15 and 45 has trended upwards. However, growth has remained below that of the overall population, as this demographic is dominated by people that were born in the 1980s and 1990s, and is characterised by subdued birth rates. Birth rates were also weak during the late 90s and early 2000s, which has restricted the number of females that have turned 15 over the past five years. Overall, IBISWorld forecasts the Australian female population aged between 15 and 45 to grow at a compound annual rate of 1.0% over the five years through 2023-24.