Modern contraception usage vs. average years of schooling for women in Australia
Australia: Modern contraception usage vs. average years of schooling for women was 64.7% in 2016. ▼ Falling
Modern contraception usage vs. average years of schooling for women 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
The most recent figure for modern contraception usage vs. average years of schooling for women in Australia is 64.7%, measured in 2016.
The figure is up 2.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, modern contraception usage vs. average years of schooling for women in Australia peaked at 72.2% in 1986 and was at its lowest, 59.2%, in 2009.
Australia ranks 23rd of 113 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Modern contraception usage vs. average years of schooling for women 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% |
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 education data for Australia
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 292,593 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.65 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.27 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 0.4362 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0835 units per person (2024)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 2.27 million (2024)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 0.4362 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is modern contraception usage vs. average years of schooling for women in Australia?
- Modern contraception usage vs. average years of schooling for women 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 modern contraception usage vs. average years of schooling for women recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 72.2% in 1986.
- What is the lowest modern contraception usage vs. average years of schooling for women recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 59.2% in 2009.
- How does Australia rank for modern contraception usage vs. average years of schooling for women?
- Australia ranks 23rd out of 113 countries with data for 2016.
- Is modern contraception usage vs. average years of schooling for women 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 Modern contraception usage vs. average years of schooling for women. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of married or co-habiting women who use at least one modern method of contraception vs. the average years of formal education that women between 15-64 years have attended.