Every four minutes, approximately 1,000 babies are born across the globe. But in which countries are these babies the most statistically likely to come from? Using data from the CIA World Factbook, this graphic paints a picture of the world’s demographics, showing which countries are most likely to welcome the next 1,000 babies based on…
The Reserve Bank has just reported a loss of A$37 billion, the biggest in its history, and it says it will be unable to pay the government dividends for some time. The announcement followed a review of its bond-buying program, one of the most important ways it supported the economy during the first two years…
Australia’s appetite for home renovations remains strong, with around A$1 billion worth of alterations and additions to homes approved in July. But rising interest rates and shortages in labour and material may have some would-be renovators wondering: is this still a good idea? Here are five questions worth considering. 1. What would a successful renovation…
One in four Australian adults feel lonely, and the impacts can be dire. Loneliness increases our risks of depression, diabetes, dementia, self-harm and suicide. But likening it to a disease and proposals to treat it with a pill miss the point: we’ve been building for loneliness over many decades and decision-makers have been asleep at…
It’s a tough time to build or renovate a house in Australia. Prices are up, well above inflation. Finding materials and getting them on time is a challenge. Builders are grappling with too much work and stress (with some folding as costs rise too fast). Customers are being confronted with eye-watering price quotes. And as…
We live in a culture that values “experiences”. These are often promoted in the media, and by those selling them, as vital to enhancing our well-being. We all know big life events like marriage, parenthood, job loss and the death of a loved one can affect our well-being. But by how much and for how…
Are we near the peak of the interest rate cycle? We know that the Reserve Bank Board decided to increase the cash rate by 50bps to 2.35% at its September meeting. But the RBA recently signalled that the ‘normalisation’ phase of their rate rises is over. Bill Evans, Chief Economist of Westpac recently made the…
Investing in Australians’ education is far more important than immigration in resolving the nation’s skills shortages, according to leading economists surveyed in the lead-up to this week’s jobs and skills summit. The 50 top Australian economists polled by the Economic Society of Australia and The Conversation are recognised by their peers as leaders in their…
Tuesday’s national accounts show Australia ending 2021-22 on a strong note. The gross domestic product grew by a historically robust 0.9% in the three months to June, and by an unusually-high 3.6% over the year. Australia’s economy is now more than 5% bigger than it was before COVID. This is a better performance than most…
With rising costs of living, including interest rate rises, many people are really worried about their mortgage. So, what actually happens if you can’t pay your mortgage – and what are your options? Here’s what you need to know. Payment deferrals, payment plans or getting fees waived It’s not particularly rare for a borrower to…
