A NSW Government website

Changing age profiles

Compared to 2020 there were 55,742 fewer 18 to 30 year-olds living in NSW. This is unprecedented in recent history.

While NSW has long-term structural ageing, the change in median age had been slowing since the late 1990s. In the last 2 years, however, the rate of ageing has quickened, exacerbated by the decline in the number of young people.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, National, State and Territory Populations – March Quarter 2021
YearsMedian ageAverage yearly change in median age
1980's31.70.255
1990's34.20.306
2000's36.60.166
2010-201937.60.039
202037.80.308
202138.30.451