Living longer: Mahjong enthusiasts (from left) Marjorie Taylor (89), Wendy Sierp (71) and Norma Merrett (77yrs). Pic: Tricia Watkinson Source: News Limited AUSTRALIANS are living longer than ever with the average life expectancy increasing by two and half years in the past decade.
New data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows Aussies were surviving to a median age of 81.7 in 2012, the highest figure on record.
"Health literacy, access to services and socio-demographic background are all factors in leading a long, healthy life," said Dr Steve Hambleton, President of the Australian Medical Association.
"Nationally, smoking has also decreased to 16 per cent and with it comes the benefit of longer life."
A boy born in Australia today would be expected live to 79.9 years and a girl to 84.3.
"Australia's life expectancy at birth continues to be among the highest in the world," said Bjorn Jarvis, Director of Demography with the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
And Dr Hambleton predicts we will soon see the average life expectancy hit 100, possibly higher.
"The person who will live to 150 has already been born," he said.
"The only obstacle may be obesity. Obesity had been proven to increase cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. As long as we take it seriously, our life expectancy will continue to increase."
STATE BY STATE BREAK-DOWN: NSW
In 2012, the median age of death in New South Wales was 82 years.
According to the data, Coolamon, Manly and North Sydney were the best place to live in Australia to reduce the likelihood of death.
These local government areas in New South Wales had the nation's lowest death rate, 3.8 deaths for every 1,000 locals.
Woollahra was the next best area of the state with 4 deaths in every 1,000 followed by Ku-ring-gai with 4.1 deaths in every 1,000.
VICTORIA
The median age of death in Victoria was 82.6 years in 2012.
According to the data, Stonnington was the best place to live in state to reduce the likelihood of death.
This local government area had the lowest death rate, 4.3 deaths for every 1,000 locals.
Boroondara and Manningham were the next best with 4.5 deaths in every 1,000 followed by Monash with 4.6 deaths in every 1,000.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
South Australians were living to a median age of 83 in 2012.
According to the data, Mitcham is the place to live in South Australia to reduce your likelihood of death. In 2012 it was the local government area with the state's lowest death rate, 4.2 deaths for every 1000 locals.
Adelaide Hills ranks second with 4.8 deaths in every 1000 and Burnside and Naracoorte and Lucindale took out third spot with 4.9 deaths in every 1000.
QUEENSLAND
In 2012, the median age of death in Queensland was 80.4 years.
According to the data, Barcaldine and the Sunshine Coast were the best place to live in Queensland to reduce the likelihood of death.
These local government areas had the state's lowest death rate, 5.2 deaths for every 1,000 locals.
Gold Coast was the next best with 5.3 deaths in every 1,000 followed by Brisbane and Redland with 5.5 deaths in every 1,000.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
In 2012, the median age of death in the Northern Territory was 59.8 years, the lowest nationally.
According to the data, Darwin was the best place to live in the territory to reduce the likelihood of death.
This local government area had the lowest death rate, 6.7 deaths for every 1,000 locals.
Katherine had the nation's worst death rate, with 13.6 deaths in every 1,000.
TASMANIA
In 2012, the median age of death in Tasmania was 81.3 years.
According to the data, West Tamar was the best place to live in the state to reduce the likelihood of death.
This local government areas had the lowest death rate, 5.8 deaths for every 1,000 locals.
Kingborough and Latrobe the next best with 5.9 deaths in every 1,000 followed by Kentish and Meander Valley with 6 deaths in every 1,000.
"We provide a standardised death rate to reduce factors such as age on the overall figure," explained Mr Jarvis.
"We then need to ask questions about why some areas are performing better than others."
Members of the Mitcham's Mahjong Group in Adelaide believed the key to living longer was to keep busy and active.
Norma Merrett, 77, of Unley said it was important to get out and about and participate in activities which stimulated the mind, like the Chinese game mahjong.
"I walk every day, I think it's very important to keep active and make your brain think," she said.
Another member of the group, Wendy Sierp, 71, of Kingswood said joining groups also kept her active by creating new friendships.
"It's about eating well and making sure you've got lots of different people in your life so you are stimulated all of the time and exercising as well," she said
After steadily declining over the past several years, there were surprise increases in the number of deaths among younger Australians.
Nationally, deaths among children ages between 1 and 4 increased by 0.5 per cent, 10 to 14 by 6.8 per cent and 15 to 19 by 4.8 per cent.
The increase in deaths among children aged 10 to 14 was higher than the 6.2 per cent increase in deaths among Australians aged between 90 and 94.
"The total number of deaths in these age groups are small, but next year we will be looking to see if there is another increase which may show a change in the trend," said Mr Jarvis.
But the Australian Medical Association will be looking closely at the numbers.
"The biggest cause of deaths for Australians under the age of 18 is accidents," said Dr Hambleton. "We need to make sure we are not exposing our children to danger."
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