We're living longer, working harder and using more energy according to Australian Social Trends 2006, the 13th edition of an annual series from the ABS that presents information on contemporary social issues and areas of public policy concern. Australian Social Trends 2006 is the 13th edition of an annual series that presents information on contemporary...

This publication presents data for the private hospital sector in 2004-05. Comparable data for public hospitals are available in Australian Hospital Statistics 2004-05, produced by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). According to this publication, about 4 in 10 hospital patients in Australia were admitted to private hospitals in 2004-05, representing 30% of...

Drawing together the currently available information on social interactions from the 2002 General Social Survey and other ABS surveys, this compendium presents topics relating to selected elements of the ABS Social Capital Framework. Geographic and structural features of the Australian population set the scene, with further topics on feelings of safety, reciprocity and aspects of...

In urban Australia the three expenditure groups with the highest average weekly expenditure levels were (in ranked order): current housing costs; food and non-alcoholic beverages; and transport. In contrast, recreation was one of the three highest expenditure groups in rural Australia, together with transport and food and non-alcoholic beverages.

During 2005 the existence of a strong labour market and relatively weak economic growth generated significant interest and debate among economic commentators and policy makers. While there is a general understanding of a lagged relationship between economic growth, as measured by GDP volumes, and growth in the labour market, as measured by employment, the nature...