Top causes of deaths in Australia

DEATHS IN AUSTRALIA

TOP FIVE:

1. Heart disease (20,173 deaths)

2. Dementia (11,965)

3. Stroke (10,765)

4. Lung cancer (8,251)

5. Chronic lower respiratory disease (7,810)

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SEXES

* Top five leading causes the same

* More males died from heart disease and lung cancer than females

* More females died from dementia and strokes

AMONG YOUNGER PEOPLE (15-44):

* Suicide

* Accidental poisonings (including drug overdoses)

* Land transport accidents

AMONG ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDERS

* Heart disease

* Diabetes

* Chronic lower respiratory disease

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS IN 2014:

* 153,580 deaths

* 5,902 more than in 2013

* More male deaths (78,341) than female (75,239)

* Male life expectancy 80.3 years; female 84.4 years

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467