Contraceptive prevalence, any method in Australia

Australia: Contraceptive prevalence, any method was 66.9% in 2016. ▼ Falling

Latest (2016)
66.9%
World rank
28th
of 116 countries
All-time high
76.1%
in 1986
All-time low
62.0%
in 2009
Years of data
5
1986–2016

Contraceptive prevalence, any method in Australia, 1986–2016

0204060801986200120161986: 76.1 % of married women ages 15-492006: 65.2 % of married women ages 15-492009: 62 % of married women ages 15-492012: 67.8 % of married women ages 15-492016: 66.9 % of married women ages 15-49

Source: Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division. Measured in % of married women ages 15-49.

Analysis

In 2016, contraceptive prevalence, any method in Australia stood at 66.9%.

The figure is up 2.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, contraceptive prevalence, any method 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.

Contraceptive prevalence, any method in Australia, year by year

Annual values for Contraceptive prevalence, any method (% of married women ages 15-49) in Australia, 1986 to 2016.
Year % of married 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

DecadeAverage LowestHighest 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

  1. 25 Russian Federation 68.0% compare
  2. 26 Botswana 67.4% compare
  3. 26 Lesotho 67.4% compare
  4. 29 Zimbabwe 66.8% compare
  5. 30 Belgium 66.7% compare
  6. 30 Hong Kong, China 66.7% compare
  7. 30 India 66.7% compare

See the full ranking of 116 places →

More health data for Australia

All data for Australia →

Frequently asked questions

What is contraceptive prevalence, any method in Australia?
Contraceptive prevalence, any method in Australia was 66.9% in 2016, according to Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division.
What is the highest contraceptive prevalence, any method recorded in Australia?
The highest recorded value was 76.1% in 1986.
What is the lowest contraceptive prevalence, any method recorded in Australia?
The lowest recorded value was 62.0% in 2009.
How does Australia rank for contraceptive prevalence, any method?
Australia ranks 28th out of 116 countries with data for 2016.
Is contraceptive prevalence, any method 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 Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division, published as part of Contraceptive prevalence, any method (% of married women ages 15-49). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Contraceptive prevalence, any method in Australia. Statizoid, drawing on Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division. Retrieved 11 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/contraceptive-prevalence-any-method-percent-of-married-women-ages-15-49/australia/

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About this data

Indicator
Contraceptive prevalence, any method (% of married women ages 15-49)
Unit
% of married women ages 15-49
Source
Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
116 places, 1,076 data points, 1961–2024
Last refreshed

Contraceptive prevalence, any method is the percentage of married women ages 15-49 who are practicing, or whose sexual partners are practicing, any method of contraception (modern or traditional). Modern methods of contraception include female and male sterilization, oral hormonal pills, the intra-uterine device (IUD), the male condom, injectables, the implant (including Norplant), vaginal barrier methods, the female condom and emergency contraception. Traditional methods of contraception include rhythm (e.g., fertility awareness based methods, periodic abstinence), withdrawal and other traditional methods.