Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Australia

Australia: Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods was 64.7% in 2016. ▼ Falling

Latest (2016)
64.7%
World rank
23rd
of 113 countries
All-time high
72.2%
in 1986
All-time low
59.2%
in 2009
Years of data
5
1986–2016

Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Australia, 1986–2016

0204060801986200120161986: 72.2 % of women ages 15-492006: 63.1 % of women ages 15-492009: 59.2 % of women ages 15-492012: 65.1 % of women ages 15-492016: 64.7 % of women ages 15-49

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

Australia recorded 64.7% for contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in 2016.

The figure is up 2.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods 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.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest 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

  1. 20 Belgium 65.4% compare
  2. 21 Lesotho 65.3% compare
  3. 22 Malawi 64.7% compare
  4. 24 Dominican Republic 62.0% compare
  5. 25 Estonia 60.9% compare
  6. 26 Cuba 60.1% compare

See the full ranking of 113 places →

More reference data data for Australia

All data for Australia →

Frequently asked questions

What is contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Australia?
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods 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 contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in Australia?
The highest recorded value was 72.2% in 1986.
What is the lowest contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in Australia?
The lowest recorded value was 59.2% in 2009.
How does Australia rank for contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods?
Australia ranks 23rd out of 113 countries with data for 2016.
Is contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods 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 Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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About this data

Indicator
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods
Unit
% of women ages 15-49
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
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
113 places, 1,022 data points, 1961–2024
Last refreshed

Estimated share of women using contraceptive methods, among those aged 15–49 and married or in union. This is compared between modern methods and any method (modern or traditional).