Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Australia
Australia: Share of women using modern contraceptive methods was 64.7% in 2016. ▼ Falling
Share of women using modern contraceptive methods 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
In 2016, share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Australia stood at 64.7%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Australia peaked at 72.2% in 1986 and was at its lowest, 59.2%, in 2009.
That places Australia 23rd out of 113 countries with data for 2016, putting it in the top quarter.
Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Australia, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 72.2% | — |
| 2006 | 63.1% | -12.7% |
| 2009 | 59.2% | -6.1% |
| 2012 | 65.1% | +10.0% |
| 2016 | 64.7% | -0.7% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 64.7% is above the median for high income countries, which is 60.4%, 1.1× the median. (24 countries reporting)
- Australia's 64.7% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 52.2%, 1.2× the median. (16 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 72.2% | 72.2% | 72.2% | 1 |
| 2000s | 61.1% | 59.2% | 63.1% | 2 |
| 2010s | 64.9% | 64.7% | 65.1% | 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)
- Population 23,430 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 23,430 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 1.02 % 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Australia?
- Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Australia was 64.7% 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 modern contraceptive methods recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 72.2% in 1986.
- What is the lowest share of women using modern contraceptive methods recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 59.2% in 2009.
- How does Australia rank for share of women using modern contraceptive methods?
- Australia ranks 23rd out of 113 countries with data for 2016.
- Is share of women using modern contraceptive methods rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.5%. 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 modern contraceptive methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of women using modern contraceptive methods, among those aged 15–49 and married or in union.