In common with many other developed countries, Australia is experiencing a demographic shift
towards an older population, with more retirees and fewer people of working age. In 2004, the
average age of the civilian population was 38.8 years. A large number of Australians (759,849 for
the period 2002–03; 1 million or 5% of the total population in 2005) live outside their home
country.