Image

COVID-19, the 38th Leading Cause of Death in Australia in 2020

A total of 898 Australians died from the respiratory infection caused by the coronavirus last year, with a median age at death of 86 years, four years above the nation's average life expectancy.

COVID-19 was the 38th leading cause of death in Australia in 2020, according to figures provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

A total of 898 Australians died from the respiratory infection caused by the coronavirus last year, with a median age at death of 86 years, four years above the nation’s average life expectancy.

The report, published on the ABS website last month, reveals that dementia was the most common pre-existing condition in COVID-19 deaths, accounting for 275 deaths in total, while chronic cardiac conditions, hypertension and diabetes were also commonly reported comorbidities.

The top five leading causes of death in 2020 remained the same as in 2019: Ischaemic heart disease; Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease; Cerebrovascular diseases; Lung cancer; and Chronic lower respiratory diseases.

The year also saw a 23.9% decrease in the age-standardised death rate from respiratory diseases. Influenza and pneumonia mortality had the highest proportional rate decrease of all respiratory diseases with a drop of 45.8% from 2019.

Last year, influenza and pneumonia dropped to the 17th leading cause of death, down from the 9th leading cause in 2019. In 2020, just 55 people died from influenza, compared to 1,080 in the prior year. There was also a decrease of more than 20% in influenza and pneumonia as an associated cause of death, where it was not the underlying cause of death.

The decrease in the respiratory disease death rate from 2019 is the largest recorded over the last ten years.

Suicide was the 15th leading cause of death, down from 13th the prior year, with 3,139 deaths due to suicide, compared to 3,318 suicides in 2019.

According to the ABS, while there was a 5.4% reduction in the number of suicides from 2019 to 2020, there were 99 people who died by suicide who had the COVID-19 pandemic mentioned in either a police, pathology or coronial finding report.

The report states:

For people who died by suicide and had the COVID-19 pandemic mentioned as a risk factor, it did not appear as an isolated risk. When COVID-19 was mentioned as a risk factor it manifested in different ways for individuals. For some people direct impacts from the pandemic such as job loss, lack of financial security, family and relationship preassures and not feeling comfortable with accessing health care were noted. For others, a general concern or anxiety about the pandemic and societal changes were stated or anxiety about contracting the virus itself.

There were 1,452 Australians who died of an alcohol-induced death, with 1,056 of those being male and 396, female.

The year saw an 8.3% increase in the age-standardised rate of alcohol-induced deaths, with 108 additional deaths since 2019.

The rate for females was equal to the highest in the ten-year time series at 2.8 deaths per 100,000 people (12.0% increase), while there was a 6.9% increase among males.

The full report can be viewed here, there is, however, a curious absence of any mention of abortion figures among the statistics.

Special Request:

For nearly eight years, we've highlighted issues ignored by mainstream media and resisted globalist ideologies eroding Western civilization. We've done this joyfully, without paywalls, despite personal costs to our team. Your support has kept us going, but operating costs exceed donations, forcing us to use ads. We’d love to ditch them, so we’re asking for your help. If you value our work, please consider supporting us via Stripe or PayPal. Every bit helps us keep fighting for our kids’ future. Thank you!

What's New?

Use the blue arrows at the bottom to scroll through the latest.
Apologist Wesley Huff Appears on Flagrant Podcast

Apologist Wesley Huff Appears on Flagrant Podcast

"As we've noted before, there is a cultural shift underway, and the Western world may just be ripe for revival."
By
by Staff WriterMay 14, 2025
Operation Sanctuary: Australia’s Nuclear Shield in a Post-Apocalyptic World

Operation Sanctuary: Australia’s Nuclear Shield in a Post-Apocalyptic World

"For Australia, the nuclear path is not just a strategic choice but a moral necessity, ensuring that we remain a beacon of hope in a world reduced to ashes," writes Michael MacConnell.
By
by Michael MacConnellMay 14, 2025
Called to Be Faithful, Not Famous: Why Celebrity Is a Poor Ministry Model

Called to Be Faithful, Not Famous: Why Celebrity Is a Poor Ministry Model

"We should want as many ears as possible to hear the truth, but we shouldn’t fall into the snare of thinking our effectiveness is proportionate to how many people know our name."
By
by Ben DavisMay 14, 2025
Is NSW Becoming Anti-Humanist?

Is NSW Becoming Anti-Humanist?

"It seems we have a current State government that can find good-hearted words but who is opening doors to 1984 in the 2020s."
By
by Dr Stephen FysonMay 14, 2025
“We’re Ending Britain’s Open Borders Experiment,” Says UK PM

“We’re Ending Britain’s Open Borders Experiment,” Says UK PM

"Settlement in the UK is a privilege, not a right," Starmer said.
By
by Staff WriterMay 13, 2025
Joe Rogan: “Jesus Makes More Sense Than Atheism”

Joe Rogan: “Jesus Makes More Sense Than Atheism”

"I’m sticking with Jesus on that one," Rogan said.
By
by Staff WriterMay 13, 2025
Episcopal Church Cuts Ties with US Government Over Refugee Resettlement of White Afrikaners

Episcopal Church Cuts Ties with US Government Over Refugee Resettlement of White Afrikaners

"The Episcopal Church's decision here only reveals a deeper, troubling trend among 'faith-based' institutions: concern for the refugee often isn't about providing equal care for the oppressed, persecuted, and downtrodden. It's about peddling a political agenda that fits a certain political narrative."
By
by Staff WriterMay 13, 2025
SCOTUS to Decide on Definition of Public Education in Case About Funding for Religious Schools

SCOTUS to Decide on Definition of Public Education in Case About Funding for Religious Schools

"The debate before SCOTUS is whether private schools should be excluded from public funding simply because they are religious."
By
by Rod LampardMay 13, 2025

Image

Support

If you value our work and would like to support us, you can do so by visiting our support page. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Visit our search page.

Copyright © 2025, Caldron Pool

Permissions

Everything published at Caldron Pool is protected by copyright and cannot be used and/or duplicated without prior written permission. Links and excerpts with full attribution are permitted. Published articles represent the opinions of the author and may not reflect the views of all contributors at Caldron Pool.

Caldron Pool does not condone the use of violence, threats, or intimidation for political or religious purposes. We strongly advocate for peaceful, respectful, and free communication and open debate without fear of reprisal or punishment.