Population aged between 5 and 18

IBISWorld forecasts the population aged between five and 18 to increase by 1.5% during 2023-24, to reach 4,621,829 people. The rate of growth in this age group is affected by the number of births five years prior, the number of people turning 19 and net migration of people in this age group. Australia's international border have reopened, which is allowing net migration to rise and bolster this population demographic.

Over the past five years, the population aged between five and 18 has grown steadily. Population growth rates in this age group have been much higher over this period compared to the growth rates in the 2000s, due to a strong increase in the number of births from 2006-07, compared to prior years. The size of this age group is typically boosted by foreign primary and secondary school students that study in Australia. Foreign students are typically attracted to Australia because of its advanced education system and the possibility of becoming a permanent resident after they complete their studies. The Australian Government's border restrictions limited the number of foreign students and net migration over the two years through 2020-21, weakening growth for this demographic. However, as borders reopened growth in this segment shot up again. Overall, IBISWorld forecasts the population aged between five and 18 to grow at a compound annual rate of 1.2% over the five years through 2023-24.