Australia Inc valued at $2230b

AUSTRALIA has been valued at $2230.2 billion in a statistical snapshot of the nation.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics also found we are working harder, volunteering more, marrying later, not going on strike as much, but we are committing more crime.

The country's worth, calculated in the annual review, was set at $2926.9 billion before debts, a 25 per cent increase on a decade ago.

That included land valued at $815.9 billion, mineral assets at $117 billion and trees at $2.3 billion.

Farms were valued at $6.5 billion, livestock at $5.2 billion and the inventories held by public authorities at $3.6 billion.

Computer software was said to be worth $21.5 billion, a fivefold increase since figures began in 1992.

Our homes are worth $555.9 billion, while the buildings we work in, the bridges we drive across and the footpaths we walk on are valued at $679 billion.

Machinery and equipment is valued at $327.9 billion, but our entertainment, literary and artistic originals are valued at only $500 million.

While Australia's total assets have climbed 25.7 per cent in 10 years, our total liabilities to the rest of the world have jumped 94.7 per cent to $696.7 billion.

The yearbook said Australians are studying hard and are reasonably well educated, with about 2.26 million people aged 15 and over studying at high school or tertiary institutions.

Forty-four per cent of those had completed post-school qualifications, 44 per cent had none, seven per cent were studying at tertiary institutions and 5 per cent were at school.

The number of weddings between people of vastly different ages is also shrinking.

The median age for grooms is 28.5 and for brides 26.7 years.

Average working hours climbed 2.8 per cent and the number of working days lost to industrial activity was down 28 per cent to 469,100.

This was down from more than four million in the early 1980s.

Among people in the lowest income bracket, one-third cannot afford a meal out once a fortnight, while a quarter cannot afford any leisure activity and rely on second-hand clothes.

Many families also said they could not afford a week's holiday,

Prime Minister John Howard's crusade for more Australians to help their local communities is paying dividends, with almost a third of the population taking part in some form of volunteer activity.

The national crime rate surged in 2000-01, but the number of murders dropped significantly.

The largest increases were recorded for driving causing death (12 per cent), sexual assault (11 per cent) and theft (10 per cent), while murder fell 12 per cent and kidnapping/abduction by 10 per cent.

As well as holding up a mirror, the yearbook also used a crystal ball.

It said Australia's population could grow from the 19.4 million to 28 million in 2051 and then taper off, climbing to no more than 32 million by the end of the century, reflecting an increasingly ageing population.


	GOVERNMENT NEWS \| home Australia Inc valued at $2230b Herald Sun Sunday 27jan02 AUSTRALIA has been valued at $2230.2 billion in a statistical snapshot of the nation. The Australian Bureau of Statistics also found we are working harder, volunteering more, marrying later, not going on strike as much, but we are committing more crime. The country's worth, calculated in the annual review, was set at $2926.9 billion before debts, a 25 per cent increase on a decade ago. That included land valued at $815.9 billion, mineral assets at $117 billion and trees at $2.3 billion. Farms were valued at $6.5 billion, livestock at $5.2 billion and the inventories held by public authorities at $3.6 billion. Computer software was said to be worth $21.5 billion, a fivefold increase since figures began in 1992. Our homes are worth $555.9 billion, while the buildings we work in, the bridges we drive across and the footpaths we walk on are valued at $679 billion. Machinery and equipment is valued at $327.9 billion, but our entertainment, literary and artistic originals are valued at only $500 million. While Australia's total assets have climbed 25.7 per cent in 10 years, our total liabilities to the rest of the world have jumped 94.7 per cent to $696.7 billion. The yearbook said Australians are studying hard and are reasonably well educated, with about 2.26 million people aged 15 and over studying at high school or tertiary institutions. Forty-four per cent of those had completed post-school qualifications, 44 per cent had none, seven per cent were studying at tertiary institutions and 5 per cent were at school. The number of weddings between people of vastly different ages is also shrinking. The median age for grooms is 28.5 and for brides 26.7 years. Average working hours climbed 2.8 per cent and the number of working days lost to industrial activity was down 28 per cent to 469,100. This was down from more than four million in the early 1980s. Among people in the lowest income bracket, one-third cannot afford a meal out once a fortnight, while a quarter cannot afford any leisure activity and rely on second-hand clothes. Many families also said they could not afford a week's holiday, Prime Minister John Howard's crusade for more Australians to help their local communities is paying dividends, with almost a third of the population taking part in some form of volunteer activity. The national crime rate surged in 2000-01, but the number of murders dropped significantly. The largest increases were recorded for driving causing death (12 per cent), sexual assault (11 per cent) and theft (10 per cent), while murder fell 12 per cent and kidnapping/abduction by 10 per cent. As well as holding up a mirror, the yearbook also used a crystal ball. It said Australia's population could grow from the 19.4 million to 28 million in 2051 and then taper off, climbing to no more than 32 million by the end of the century, reflecting an increasingly ageing population. home