Mental health and substance use disorders deaths in Australia
Australia: Mental health and substance use disorders deaths was 1,866 deaths in 2021. ▲ Rising
Mental health and substance use disorders deaths in Australia, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
In 2021, mental health and substance use disorders deaths in Australia stood at 1,866 deaths.
The figure is down 3.9% on the previous year and up 31.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mental health and substance use disorders deaths in Australia peaked at 1,941 deaths in 2020 and was at its lowest, 924.16 deaths, in 2002.
That places Australia 21st out of 194 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 years of available data.
Mental health and substance use disorders deaths in Australia, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1,588 deaths | — |
| 2001 | 976 deaths | -38.6% |
| 2002 | 924.16 deaths | -5.3% |
| 2003 | 1,006 deaths | +8.9% |
| 2004 | 999.93 deaths | -0.6% |
| 2005 | 1,133 deaths | +13.3% |
| 2006 | 1,042 deaths | -8.0% |
| 2007 | 1,115 deaths | +7.0% |
| 2008 | 1,266 deaths | +13.5% |
| 2009 | 1,386 deaths | +9.4% |
| 2010 | 1,360 deaths | -1.9% |
| 2011 | 1,425 deaths | +4.8% |
| 2012 | 1,371 deaths | -3.8% |
| 2013 | 1,357 deaths | -1.0% |
| 2014 | 1,619 deaths | +19.3% |
| 2015 | 1,714 deaths | +5.8% |
| 2016 | 1,836 deaths | +7.2% |
| 2017 | 1,929 deaths | +5.1% |
| 2018 | 1,891 deaths | -2.0% |
| 2019 | 1,919 deaths | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 1,941 deaths | +1.1% |
| 2021 | 1,866 deaths | -3.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1,144 deaths | 924.16 deaths | 1,588 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,642 deaths | 1,357 deaths | 1,929 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,903 deaths | 1,866 deaths | 1,941 deaths | 2 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More health data for Australia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.83 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.9072 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 906.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 215 deaths (2100)
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- Population ages 50-54, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 50-54, male, per capita 0.0308 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 55-59, female, annual growth rate 2.19 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 55-59, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 55-59, female, per capita 0.0297 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mental health and substance use disorders deaths in Australia?
- Mental health and substance use disorders deaths in Australia was 1,866 deaths in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest mental health and substance use disorders deaths recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 1,941 deaths in 2020.
- What is the lowest mental health and substance use disorders deaths recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 924.16 deaths in 2002.
- How does Australia rank for mental health and substance use disorders deaths?
- Australia ranks 21st out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is mental health and substance use disorders deaths rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 31.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Mental health and substance use disorders deaths. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Estimated number of deaths from mental and substance use disorders in both sexes.