In Australia, Men and Boys are Lagging on a Broad Range of Indicators
By David Maywald
January 24, 2025
Around the world, men and boys are facing important, sometimes life-threatening, disparities in 12 areas: www.menandboys.net A similar situation is seen in Australia:
- There is a four year gap in life expectancy, with women at 85.3 years and men at 81.2 years. Sourced from Australian Bureau of Statistics and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/life-expectancy-deaths/deaths-in-australia/contents/life-expectancy
- Men and boys account for more than three-quarters of suicides in Australia. Suicide Prevention Australia points to 2,419 male deaths and 795 female deaths in the most recent year: https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/news/statsandfacts#1676682483349-4dabbb54-f429ab41-e8570c56-f40916f2-819d
- There is a sizable gap for high school completion between boys and girls, with AIHW referring to five percent difference. “In 2022, of people aged 20–24: women (93%) were more likely than men (88%) to have completed year 12 or a certificate III or above, consistent with previous years” https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/primary-and-secondary-schooling
- Women are an increasing majority of domestic university students, going from 58% of course completions in 2004 to 62% in 2022. Out of each group of thirteen graduates, eight are female and only five are male. Sourced from the Department of Education: https://www.education.gov.au/higher-education-statistics/resources/2023-section-14-award-course-completions
- 95% of worker fatalities are male and only 5% are female. Sourced from Safe Work Australia: https://data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/insights/key-whs-stats-2024
- Men are 2.3 times more likely to be a victim of homicide, compared with women. Sourced from Australian Institute of Criminology: https://www.aic.gov.au/publications/sr/sr46
- Men are also more likely to be the victim of physical violence. “31% of women and 42% of men who have experienced physical violence” according to the ABS: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/crime-and-justice/personal-safety-australia/2021-22
- Males make up 56% of homeless in Australia: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/housing/estimating-homelessness-census/latest-release
Advocates for gender equality should place particular attention on the plight of men and boys.