Mortality

Definition

The number of deaths per 1,000 young people aged 15 to 19 and 20 to 24.

Relevance

Mortality rates show how many New Zealand youth die at a young age.  Examining death rates by cause of death helps to indicate the extent to which these deaths may be preventable.

Current level and trends

Youth mortality rates fell significantly between 1986 and 2002, remaining relatively stable from this point. 

In 1986, the death rate was 1.0 deaths per 1,000 young people aged 15 to 19 and 1.2 deaths per 1,000 young people aged 20 to 24.  By 2006, the death rate was 0.6 deaths per 1,000 young people aged 15 to 19 and 20 to 24. 

Age-specific death rate per 1,000 population, ages 15 to 19 and 20 to 24, 1986-2006

Age-specific death rate per 1,000 population, ages 15 to 19 and 20 to 24, 1986-2006

Source: Statistics New Zealand, death tables.

In 2005, almost 65 percent of deaths among young people aged 15 to 24 were due to motor accidents (141 deaths), suicide (106 deaths), drowning or falls (16 deaths).  Illness accounted for 101 deaths.(1)

Number of deaths of young people, by cause and age group, 2004

Number of deaths of young people, by cause and age group, 2004

Source: Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee, 2006, Third Report to the Minister of Health Reporting Mortality 2002-2004 (see link at right).

Note

1. Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee, 2007, Fourth Report to the Minister of Health Reporting Mortality 2002-2005