Australians now objectively better off than ever before

Spending power may have increased by $9000 for every man, woman and child over the past decade, but the Government statistician has ducked the curly question of whether Australians are generally better off. A snapshot of the nation by the Bureau of Statistics found that Australia has become wealthier, healthier and more educated over the past 10 years, but the environment has suffered, crime rates are slightly higher and the indigenous population continues to seriously lag.

After examining economic, social and environmental indicators, the bureau's Measures of Australia's Progress report concluded that there was no single answer to the all-important question: "Has life in our country got better or worse?" "It does not always follow that improving, particularly, living conditions will make a person happier or more satisfied, as people place different importance on the different aspects of their lives," the bureau said.

In terms of money, at least, Australia is powering ahead. Over the past decade, real disposable income per capita has been growing steadily at an annual average rate of 3 per cent, reaching more than $35,000 per person last financial year, compared to about $26,000 in 1994-95. The spoils of economic growth over the past decade also appear to have been reasonably evenly shared. The bureau said the average weekly income of low-income earners leapt 22 per cent to $300 over the nine years to 2004, while weekly incomes for high earners increased 19.3 per cent to $1027.

Despite the huge wealth gains, most studies indicate that satisfaction levels have barely changed over the past 50 years. Bernard Salt, a commentator on consumer, cultural and demographic trends, said he believed economic prosperity had delivered increased feelings of satisfaction and well-being, despite the cliche that money does not buy happiness. "Economic prosperity really does account for - not all - but a substantial part of our happiness and wellbeing," Mr Salt said. "I think the Australian public is feeling rich, fat, happy and complacent and I think this is why the Coalition was voted in so confidently at the last election."

Australians are also living longer. Boys born in 2004 can expect to live three years longer than boys born in 1994, while girls can expect to live two years longer. Despite the rise in life expectancy, the proportion of people classified as overweight or obese has in the past decade leapt from 52 per cent to 62 per cent for men and from 37 per cent to 45 per cent for women. For indigenous Australians, however, the average life span is about 17 years lower.

The environment also appears to be suffering. Over the past 10 years, the number of bird and mammal species listed as extinct or endangered rose by 41 per cent to 169, with Australia's waterways deteriorating rapidly. Australia also has the highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions in the world. Shadow treasurer Wayne Swan said that despite 15 years of growth, many families were still finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.

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