More Than Half of Australians Live with Chronic Conditions, New Data Shows

According to the 2026 Australia Health Report, chronic disease remains a pervasive issue, affecting more than six out of ten Australians. In 2022, 1.54 crore people reported at least one long‑term health problem, while over a third coped with two or more simultaneous conditions.

The cumulative impact of these illnesses translated into a loss of 4.9 million healthy life years in 2024, which equates to 84 percent of the nation’s total disease burden. This sizable share signals that chronic ailments are the foremost factor eroding population health.

Public health officials stress that these numbers call for intensified prevention strategies, greater support for disease management programs, and expanded access to primary care services.

On a brighter note, the same report notes that average life expectancy continued its upward trajectory, with women living to 85.1 years and men to 81.1 years by the end of the 2022‑24 reporting period.