Coast and Launceston tops Tasmania's mortality rate

The rate of mortality in 2021 in Tasmania was 840 per 100,000 population, significantly above the national average of 668, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

But within the state, the East Coast and the sections of the North-West Coast showed the highest mortality rate, at 1228 and 1048 deaths per 100,000 population, respectively, in 2021, the figures showed.

Devonport was third, with 922 deaths per 100,000 population, and then Launceston at 883.

All were well above the national average and the top causes of death in the state were coronary heart disease, dementia, cerebrovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Lung cancer and diabetes also ranked high, as well as prostate and pancreatic cancer.

Suicide and accidental falling were the only non-disease causes of death listed in the top 20.

The Burnie-Ulverstone had the state's second highest mortality rate and was ranked 24^th nationally.

Coronary heart disease was the leading causes of death of men, while for women, dementia was the biggest killer.

Nationally, the data showed that on average, Australians are living longer than ever before - life expectancy in the country has increased at a rate of three months per year since the start of the 20th century, the data showed.

Australia's average life expectancy in 2021 was 83.2 years, which ranked it fifth in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

The study also found that, while Australians may be living longer, but the maximum ages at which they die have not moved much.

"We all know that average life expectancy keeps on increasing," AIHW spokesperson Richard Juckes said.

"But what is interesting is that the maximum age people live to isn't changing nearly as much.

"The increased life expectancy in Australia is largely attributed to improved medical knowledge and technology, health care availability (such as the widespread accessibility to antibiotics and vaccines), improved living conditions and overall better quality of life."

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