Multiple birth numbers have remained relatively consistent in Australia over the past decade. 

In 2021, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (latest report as of October 2021) there were 4,248 multiple births  representing 1.5% of all births (309,996) in Australia. This comprised 4,185 pairs of twins and 63 sets of triplets and higher order multiples. One percent of all multiple births are triplets and above.

Of all babies born in 2021, 8,496 of the 309,996 were from a multiple set (twins and above) or 3% of the total.

We are often asked how many multiples are there in Australia? The population of Australia is around 25.4 million, so we can estimate there are around 750,000 multiples (based on the estimate of 3% of the population is a multiple). 

Interestingly, TRA has around 75,000 members, or around 11% of Australia's multiple-birth population is a TRA member. We thank the multiple-birth community for their wonderful support of our research and we welcome more to join us! 

Twins Research Australia has produced an article with more information on twin pregnancy and birth trends in Australia. This piece looks at twin pregnancies and birth trends overall and by:

• State
• Mother’s country of birth
• Sex
• Mother’s age

To view the article, please click here.