Provisional Mortality Statistics for Australia, Jan-Mar 2025 Released

In a significant update regarding national health metrics, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released its Provisional Mortality Statistics for the first quarter of 2025, detailing mortality trends and statistics for January through March. The report, published on June 27, 2025, indicates that a total of 42,081 deaths were recorded during this period, reflecting a 4.1% decrease from the same timeframe in 2024 and a 1.6% decline compared to 2023. Furthermore, 14,310 deaths were reported in March 2025 alone, which marks a decrease of 4.6% from March 2024 and 3.8% from March 2023.

The data, which aims to provide insights into changing patterns of mortality, highlights a notable increase in deaths due to influenza, with 180 deaths recorded between January and April 2025. This figure is higher than comparable years, particularly those in 2017 and 2019. In contrast, the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 continues to decline significantly. The report indicates that there were 106 COVID-19 related deaths in March 2025, a striking 58.4% lower than in 2024 and 59.1% lower than in 2023.

The ABS has announced upcoming changes to the release schedule for the Provisional Mortality Statistics, moving from bi-monthly to quarterly updates, along with an increased focus on articles about Acute Respiratory Infection deaths. This strategic change is intended to enhance the reporting of mortality statistics and offer more comprehensive insights into public health trends.

Experts have noted that the decrease in overall mortality rates could be influenced by various factors, including improvements in healthcare access and preventive measures against infectious diseases. Dr. Sarah Johnson, a public health expert at the University of Melbourne, stated, "The trends indicate a positive shift in mortality rates, which may reflect the effectiveness of health interventions in place over the past few years."

However, the report also emphasizes the need for caution when interpreting these statistics. The ABS has clarified that the data is provisional and subject to revision, especially as it relates to deaths that may have occurred earlier but were only recently registered due to administrative delays.

Statistical breakdowns show that age-standardized death rates for March 2025 were lower than those of the previous two years. The overall rates for all ages stood at 37.9 deaths per 100,000 people. Notably, the most significant reductions in death rates were observed in the 45-64 age group, where rates were reported to be 18.1% lower than in 2024.

The report presents a comprehensive analysis of mortality causes, revealing that deaths due to ischaemic heart disease, cancer, and other cardiac conditions have also declined. Conversely, deaths from respiratory diseases show a mixed pattern, with pneumonia-related deaths lower than in previous years, while influenza-related deaths have increased.

As part of ongoing efforts to improve mortality data reporting, the ABS encourages the public and researchers to utilize the data downloads section available on their website for further analysis and customized datasets.

This report serves as a crucial resource for public health officials, researchers, and policymakers as they navigate the complexities of health outcomes in Australia. The implications of these statistics extend beyond mere numbers; they reflect the ongoing challenges and successes in managing national health issues amidst evolving health threats.