How Australia ComparesHow Australia Compares is a handy reference that compares Australia with 17 other developed democracies on a wide range of social, economic and political dimensions. Whenever possible, it gives not only snapshot comparisons from the present, but charts trends over recent decades or even longer. Its scope is encyclopaedic, offering comparative data on as many aspects of social life as possible, from taxation to traffic accidents, homicide rates to health expenditure, and international trade to internet usage. It uses a highly accessible format, devoting a double-page spread to each topic, with tables on one page and a clear explanation and analysis on the facing page. In each discussion the focus is to put the Australian experience into international perspective, drawing out the implications for its performance, policies and prospects. |
Contents
Government and Politics | 21 |
Party systems and electoral choice | 33 |
Corruption | 40 |
Economy | 47 |
Industrial structure | 55 |
Foreign direct investment | 62 |
Government Taxes and Spending | 89 |
Privatisation and deregulation | 95 |
Longterm economic growth | 143 |
International Relations | 154 |
Science and Technology | 170 |
Media | 182 |
Family | 190 |
Gender | 200 |
Lifestyles and Consumption | 208 |
Crime and Social Problems | 222 |
Doctors nurses and pharmaceuticals | 103 |
Improved life expectancy | 109 |
Education | 118 |
Income per capita | 123 |
Inequality and Social Welfare | 136 |
Religion Values and Attitudes | 238 |
Sources and References | 258 |
276 | |
Common terms and phrases
000 population 18 countries 20th century adults age groups annual Australia Austria average Belgium bottom Canada cancer capita column comparative consumption country's crime death rate decades decline Denmark economies EFTPOS employment English-speaking countries European Union expenditure exports females figures Finland France full-time funding Germany greater growth half health spending highest households including Australia income increase industrial inequality inflation Ireland Italy Japan Japanese labour force participation league table less literacy lost per 100 lowest males measure ment Netherlands Norway OECD OECD Health Data overall mean part-time participation rate parties percentage points period political poverty problems proportion PYLL rate Ranked according ratio relatively Report revenue rise Scandinavian score sector selected countries shows social Statistics surveys Sweden Switzerland television tion trade trend tries unem unemployed union United Kingdom women World World Values Survey Zealand