FRESH figures have driven home long-held concerns over Tasmania's ageing population and low life expectancy. Tasmania's population growth rate also continues to languish well below the rest of the country, a newly-published federal government report confirms. Sitting at 0.3 per cent, the growth rate is by far the most sluggish of any state or territory. Tasmania also remains the oldest state in Australia, with 17.3 per cent of the population aged over 65. More than three-quarters of those over 65 receive an aged pension, easily the highest rate in Australia. Tasmania has not made any inroads in closing its life expectancy gap compared to the rest of the country. Hobartians can now expect to live to 80.8 years, compared with 80 in 2006. Meanwhile, those outside the state's capital will live 80.5 years on average, up from 79.5 years in 2006. The gap between the capital city and rest of the state shortened over the period, bucking the national trend. But Australia's life expectancy rate also improved over the period. As a result, Tasmanians can expect to live up to 1.5 years less on average compared to people living elsewhere across the country. A state government spokeswoman said growing Tasmania's population was clearly not without its challenges, with the figures highlighting the importance of its population strategy. The State of Regional Australia report also homed in on economic measures. Much of the dense report based its figures on the remoteness of regions, encompassing all of Australia. However, one suburb in Northern Tasmania came in for special attention in an analysis of median weekly incomes. Ravenswood was among the bottom five regional areas for incomes, when measured against similar areas with a population of about 10,000 people. Residents of Ravenswood earned an average of $620 per week in 2011, about half the Australian average. The weekly wage was not the lowest in the country, according to the report, but slipped backwards by $45 compared to 2006. However, Ravenswood's participation rate (those in or actively seeking work) was the second-highest of the five at 45.8 per cent. Australia's participation rate at the time was much higher at 61.4 per cent. The state government spokeswoman said the Ravenswood data showed the importance of boosting regional economies.
FRESH figures have driven home long-held concerns over Tasmania's ageing population and low life expectancy.
Tasmania's population growth rate also continues to languish well below the rest of the country, a newly-published federal government report confirms.
Sitting at 0.3 per cent, the growth rate is by far the most sluggish of any state or territory.
Tasmania also remains the oldest state in Australia, with 17.3 per cent of the population aged over 65.
More than three-quarters of those over 65 receive an aged pension, easily the highest rate in Australia.
Tasmania has not made any inroads in closing its life expectancy gap compared to the rest of the country.
Hobartians can now expect to live to 80.8 years, compared with 80 in 2006.
Meanwhile, those outside the state's capital will live 80.5 years on average, up from 79.5 years in 2006.
The gap between the capital city and rest of the state shortened over the period, bucking the national trend.
But Australia's life expectancy rate also improved over the period.
As a result, Tasmanians can expect to live up to 1.5 years less on average compared to people living elsewhere across the country.
A state government spokeswoman said growing Tasmania's population was clearly not without its challenges, with the figures highlighting the importance of its population strategy.
The State of Regional Australia report also homed in on economic measures.
Much of the dense report based its figures on the remoteness of regions, encompassing all of Australia.
However, one suburb in Northern Tasmania came in for special attention in an analysis of median weekly incomes.
Ravenswood was among the bottom five regional areas for incomes, when measured against similar areas with a population of about 10,000 people.
Residents of Ravenswood earned an average of $620 per week in 2011, about half the Australian average.
The weekly wage was not the lowest in the country, according to the report, but slipped backwards by $45 compared to 2006.
However, Ravenswood's participation rate (those in or actively seeking work) was the second-highest of the five at 45.8 per cent.
Australia's participation rate at the time was much higher at 61.4 per cent.
The state government spokeswoman said the Ravenswood data showed the importance of boosting regional economies.
