Share of women using contraceptives in Australia
Australia: Share of women using contraceptives was 66.9% in 2016. ▼ Falling
Share of women using contraceptives in Australia, 1986–2016
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.
Analysis
Australia recorded 66.9% for share of women using contraceptives in 2016.
The figure is up 2.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of women using contraceptives in Australia peaked at 76.1% in 1986 and was at its lowest, 62.0%, in 2009.
That places Australia 28th out of 116 countries with data for 2016, putting it in the top quarter.
Share of women using contraceptives in Australia, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 76.1% | — |
| 2006 | 65.2% | -14.4% |
| 2009 | 62.0% | -4.9% |
| 2012 | 67.8% | +9.3% |
| 2016 | 66.9% | -1.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 76.1% | 76.1% | 76.1% | 1 |
| 2000s | 63.6% | 62.0% | 65.2% | 2 |
| 2010s | 67.3% | 66.9% | 67.8% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More gender data for Australia
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 4,759 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth -0.0804 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 149,630 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 157,746 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 150,777 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 158,898 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 151,066 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, male, interpolated 159,270 (2025)
- Age population, age 03, female, interpolated 151,529 (2025)
- Age population, age 03, male, interpolated 159,819 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of women using contraceptives in Australia?
- Share of women using contraceptives in Australia was 66.9% in 2016, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of women using contraceptives recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 76.1% in 1986.
- What is the lowest share of women using contraceptives recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 62.0% in 2009.
- How does Australia rank for share of women using contraceptives?
- Australia ranks 28th out of 116 countries with data for 2016.
- Is share of women using contraceptives rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of women using contraceptives. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Contraceptive prevalence rate is the percentage of women who are practicing, or whose sexual partners are practicing, any form of contraception. It is usually measured for women ages 15-49 who are married or in union.