Covid reduced Australia’s average life expectancy and lifted death rates to historic highs

Centre for Population report shows 129,000 people died between January and August 2022, 17% higher than average for the period

The pandemic cut Australia’saverage life expectancy and raised death rates to historic high levels, new population data shows.

According to the Centre for Population report, released in full on Friday, nearly 79% of all Australian Covid deaths occurred in the first eight months of 2022, as governments lifted restrictions and eased mask rules.