The Human Truth Foundation

Australia (Commonwealth of Australia)

http://www.humantruth.info/australia.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#australia #environmentalism #hong_kong

Australia
Commonwealth of Australia
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index11st best
CapitalCanberra
Land Area7 682 300km21
LocationAustralasia
Population24.9m2
Life Expectancy84.53yrs (2017)3
GNI$49 238 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesAU, AUS, 365
Internet Domain.au6
CurrencyDollar (AUD)7
Telephone+618

1. Overview

Prehistoric settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia at least 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession of the east coast in the name of Great Britain (all of Australia was claimed as British territory in 1829 with the creation of the colony of Western Australia). Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the Allied effort in World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has become an internationally competitive, advanced market economy due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s and its location in one of the fastest growing regions of the world economy. Long-term concerns include ageing of the population, pressure on infrastructure, and environmental issues such as floods, droughts, and bushfires. Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth, making it particularly vulnerable to the challenges of climate change. Australia is home to 10 per cent of the world's biodiversity, and a great number of its flora and fauna exist nowhere else in the world. In January 2013, Australia assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2013-14 term.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverAustralia - the sixth-largest country on this lonely planet - is dazzlingly diverse: a sing-along medley of mountains, deserts, reefs, forests, beaches and multicultural melting-pot cities. Most Australians live along the coast, and most of these folks live in cities. In fact, Australia is the 18th-most urbanised country in the world. Sydney is a glamorous collusion of beaches, boutiques and bars. Melbourne is all arts, alleyways and Australian Rules football. Brisbane is a subtropical town on the way up; Adelaide has festive grace and pubby poise. Boomtown Perth breathes west-coast optimism; Canberra transcends political agendas. And the tropical northern frontier town of Darwin and chilly southern sandstone city of Hobart couldn´t be more different. [...] Australia's national parks and secluded corners are custommade for camping trips down the dirt road.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Australia National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Value11
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
4Hong Kong0.952
5Australia0.951
6Denmark0.948
7Sweden0.947
8Ireland0.945
9Germany0.942
10Netherlands0.941
11Finland0.940
12Singapore0.939
Australasia Avg0.70
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
...
20Belgium$52 293
21Andorra$51 167
22Finland$49 452
23Australia$49 238
24Canada$46 808
25Saudi Arabia$46 112
26France$45 937
27UK$45 225
Australasia Avg$12 519
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Norway28.6
2Denmark30.0
3Sweden30.7
...
8Canada36.8
9Switzerland37.2
10Germany37.4
11Australia38.2
12Austria38.6
13UK39.0
14Belgium40.1
15Ireland40.2
Australasia Avg102.5
World Avg86.8
q=195.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Australia's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population

Population:

Australia's population is predicted to rise to 27.77 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.96. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

Population2
Pos.2018
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
52N. Korea25.5m
53Cameroon25.2m
54Ivory Coast25.1m
55Australia24.9m
56Niger22.4m
57Sri Lanka21.2m
58Burkina Faso19.8m
59Romania19.5m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
4Australia84.5
5Switzerland84.0
6Malta83.8
7S. Korea83.7
8Liechtenstein83.3
9Norway83.2
10Spain83.0
11Sweden83.0
12Italy82.9
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
13
Pos.201313
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
4France1.99
5Turkey2.04
6Australia1.96
7Uruguay2.05
8Norway1.95
9Myanmar (Burma)1.95
10Indonesia2.07
11Sweden1.93
12Tunisia1.93
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
14
Pos.2016
Per 10014
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
142Montenegro30.0
143Belarus30.3
144Ukraine30.8
145Australia31.3
146Slovakia31.6
147Albania31.8
148Norway32.2
149Iceland32.5
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants15
Pos.2017
%15
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
14Nauru32.7%
15Lebanon31.9%
16Switzerland29.6%
17Australia28.8%
18Antigua & Barbuda28.1%
19Brunei25.3%
20Israel23.6%
21Palau23.0%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants16
Pos.2010
%16
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
152Uganda2.2%
153Sudan2.2%
154Chad2.1%
155Australia2.1%
156Serbia2.0%
157Venezuela1.8%
158S. Africa1.7%
159Iran1.7%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#Australia #equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance #women

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)17
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank17
1Sweden9.0
2Norway14.5
3Denmark14.5
...
8Austria22.3
9Luxembourg23.7
10Finland23.8
11Australia23.9
12Hong Kong24.3
13France24.7
Australasia Avg119.7
World Avg87.9
q=199.
Australia performs very well in ensuring human rights and freedom compared to most other countries. Australia comes in the best 20 in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)18 (amongst the lowest in Australasia), supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms19 (one of the best in Australasia), its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice20 (one of the best in Australasia) and in its nominal commitment to Human Rights21 (one of the highest in Australasia). And finally, it does better than average in terms of opposing gender inequality22 (the best in Australasia), LGBT equality23 (amongst the highest in Australasia), supporting press freedom24 (amongst the best in Australasia), commentary in Human Rights Watch reports25 (amongst the best in Australasia), speed of uptake of HR treaties26 (the lowest in Australasia) and in freethought27 (but high for Australasia). In 2017 Australia granted equality under marriage law to LGBT folk28.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

5. Australia's Health

#alcohol #Australia #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Australasia (2020)29
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank29
1Solomon Islands82.0
2Australia84.6
3Kiribati87.0
4New Zealand88.8
5=Fiji90.6
6Vanuatu97.1
7Niue98.7
8=Tonga104.1
9Samoa107.8
10Tuvalu112.5
11Micronesia114.2
12Papua New Guinea120.8
13Cook Islands123.7
Australasia Avg109.4
q=16.
Health (2020)29
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank29
1Monaco13.0
2Hong Kong18.3
3Maldives41.0
...
65=Bosnia & Herzegovina84.0
65=Albania84.0
67Turkey84.5
68Australia84.6
69Jordan84.8
70Barbados85.1
71Estonia85.3
72Vietnam85.4
World Avg93.5
q=196.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives30. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau30.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean30, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa30.

For more, see:

Health:

Australia does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Australia comes in the best 20 in its average life expectancy11 (the highest in Australasia), its fertility rate13 (the lowest in Australasia) and in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance31 (the best in Australasia). It does better than average in its suicide rate32 (the best in Australasia) and in its adolescent birth rate22 (the best in Australasia). Australia still has work to do. Australia does worse than average in terms of its immunizations take-up33, its smoking rate34 (the worst in Australasia) and in its alcohol consumption rate35 (one of the highest in Australasia). The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Australia in the 1990s and later 2010s was amongst the top 10 in the world. It improved by +6.1yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs.

Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
4Australia84.5
5Switzerland84.0
6Malta83.8
7S. Korea83.7
8Liechtenstein83.3
9Norway83.2
10Spain83.0
11Sweden83.0
12Italy82.9
Australasia Avg70.11
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
35
Pos.2016
Per Capita35
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
154=Greece10.4
154=Denmark10.4
156Cook Islands10.6
157=Australia10.6
158New Zealand10.7
159=Finland10.7
160Uruguay10.8
161=Cyprus10.8
Australasia Avg4.3
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
13
Pos.201313
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
4France1.99
5Turkey2.04
6Australia1.96
7Uruguay2.05
8Norway1.95
9Myanmar (Burma)1.95
10Indonesia2.07
11Sweden1.93
12Tunisia1.93
Australasia Avg3.26
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
34
Pos.201434
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
115Turkmenistan 92536
116Chile 930
117Ireland 954
118Australia 956
119Mongolia 957
120Bahrain 969
121France 993
122Brunei1 023
Australasia Avg 372
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate32
Pos.2013
Per 100k32
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
...
41Spain15.3
42Argentina15.6
43Thailand15.8
44Australia16.4
45El Salvador16.5
46Kyrgyzstan17.7
47Netherlands18.6
48Luxembourg19.3
Australasia Avg20.00
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
...
10USA10
11Luxembourg11
12Finland12
13Australia13
14UAE14
15Saudi Arabia15
16Belgium16
17New Zealand17
Australasia Avg94.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better37
Pos.2016
%37
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
164Canada64.1
165Israel64.3
166Bahamas64.4
167Australia64.5
168Iraq64.6
169Mexico64.9
170New Zealand65.6
171Bahrain65.8
Australasia Avg73.3
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
22
Pos.2015
Per 100022
1N. Korea0.5
2S. Korea1.6
3Switzerland2.9
...
44Bahrain13.5
45Malaysia13.6
46Latvia13.6
47Australia14.1
48UK14.6
49Sri Lanka14.8
50Micronesia15.0
51Tonga15.2
Australasia Avg30.1
World Avg47.9
q=185.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
33
Pos.2015
Avg %33
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
105Vietnam92.3
106Denmark92.3
107Azerbaijan92.2
108=Australia92.1
108=Barbados92.1
110Ghana91.7
111=Lesotho91.7
112Malawi91.7
Australasia Avg86.4
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Australia's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #food #meat #over-exploitation #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Australasia (2023)38
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank38
1Fiji63.3
2New Zealand63.8
3Australia66.4
4Vanuatu75.0
5=Kiribati87.0
6Papua New Guinea89.0
7=Solomon Islands103.0
7=Micronesia103.0
9Samoa108.0
10=Nauru108.0
11Tonga115.0
Australasia Avg89.2
q=11.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)38
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank38
1Japan33.2
2Philippines45.0
3Uruguay48.0
...
41Ethiopia64.8
42Belize65.3
43Netherlands65.8
44Australia66.4
45=Egypt66.6
45=Austria66.6
47Brazil66.8
48Bangladesh67.0
World Avg85.7
q=188.
(amongst the lowest in Australasia)Australia is positioned 44th in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 7 data sets. Australia performs the best in how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. It does better than average when it comes to its environmental performance39 (amongst the highest in Australasia). But that's it. Australia has problems. It does worse than average for its score on the Green Future Index40 (yet still one of the highest in Australasia), energy to GDP efficiency41 (yet still the best in Australasia), the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population42 (yet still the best in Australasia) and in its forested percent change 1990-201543 (one of the worst in Australasia). And finally, it falls into the worst 20 in terms of annual meat consumption per person44 (one of the worst in Australasia).

Forest Area Change 1990-2015
Higher is better
43
Pos.2015
%43
1Iceland+205.6
2Bahrain+144.4
3Uruguay+131.3
...
112Sierra Leone-02.4
113Trinidad & Tobago-02.6
114Jamaica-02.7
115Australia-02.9
116Kazakhstan-03.3
117S. Korea-03.9
118Sao Tome & Principe-04.3
119Bangladesh-04.4
Australasia Avg+03.4
World Avg+02.8
q=184.
Environmental Performance
Higher is better
39
Pos.201839
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
...
18Netherlands75.5
19Israel75.0
20Japan74.7
21Australia74.1
22Greece73.6
23Taiwan72.8
24Cyprus72.6
25Canada72.2
Australasia Avg55.2
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency
Higher is better41
Pos.201441
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
...
64=Guatemala08.47
65India08.40
66Cameroon08.33
67Australia08.20
68UAE08.13
69=Jamaica08.06
69=Senegal08.06
71Malaysia08.00
Australasia Avg07.92
World Avg09.29
q=119.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Earlier is better
Pos.0
Signed
1=China1993 Dec 29
1=Guinea1993 Dec 29
1=Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
...
23=Tunisia1993 Dec 29
23=Norway1993 Dec 29
23=Zambia1993 Dec 29
23=Australia1993 Dec 29
23=Peru1993 Dec 29
31Philippines1994 Jan 06
32Uruguay1994 Feb 03
33Nauru1994 Feb 08
Australasia Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment
Higher is better42
Pos.2011
%42
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
...
86Bulgaria32.5%
87Kyrgyzstan32.0%
88Georgia31.9%
89Australia31.8%
90Austria31.8%
91Azerbaijan31.7%
92Guinea31.2%
93Slovakia31.1%
Australasia Avg28.0%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
44
Pos.2021
kg44
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
...
176Samoa106.2
177Israel107.7
178St Vincent & Grenadines109.5
179Australia110.2
180Bahamas111.9
181Argentina115.5
182Mongolia115.6
183Nauru125.9
Australasia Avg74.2
World Avg52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, Australia's meat consumption per person was the 2nd-highest in the world (119kg per person per year, on average), after Hong Kong, putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment.44

Green Future Index
Higher is better40
Pos.2023
Score40
1Iceland6.7
2Finland6.7
3Norway6.4
...
41New Zealand4.6
42=Philippines4.6
42=Israel4.6
42=Australia4.6
45Taiwan4.5
46=Mexico4.5
47Ukraine4.4
48Argentina4.3
Australasia Avg4.6
World Avg4.8
q=76.

7. Australia's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #it_security #maths #modernity #politics #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Australasia (2020)45
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank45
1New Zealand17.6
2Australia19.2
3Palau59.3
4Tonga75.2
5=New Caledonia75.5
6Fiji80.8
7French Polynesia95.0
8Nauru99.0
9Marshall Islands102.8
10Samoa103.4
11Vanuatu117.0
12Micronesia131.3
13Kiribati143.0
Australasia Avg98.1
q=16.
Modernity & Learning (2020)45
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank45
1Finland8.4
2Taiwan10.0
3Switzerland15.1
...
8New Zealand17.6
9Sweden18.6
10Germany18.6
11Australia19.2
12Iceland19.6
13Austria19.6
14Norway21.0
15Slovenia21.3
World Avg83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Throughout all the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s to the present, education in Australia has been the longest in the world, peaking at almost 23 years throughout the life of the average person. It was one of just ten countries who increased their expected duration of education by over 3 years in the 1990s, and it continued to rise in the 2000s before falling slightly in the 2010s.46

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2947
2Israel4.1147
3Japan3.5847
...
12Belgium2.4647
13Slovenia2.3947
14France2.2647
15Australia2.2548
16=Singapore2.0049
16=Czechia2.0047
18Netherlands1.9747
19Iceland1.8947
Australasia Avg1.71
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education
Higher is better
50
Pos.201850
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
...
36Belarus92.2%
37Marshall Islands92.1%
38Montenegro91.6%
39Australia90.4%
40Romania90.0%
41Botswana90.0%
42Serbia89.5%
43Denmark89.3%
Australasia Avg79.3%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
51
Pos.2021
Years51
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
4Belgium19.6
5Sweden19.4
6Iceland19.2
7Finland19.1
8Ireland18.9
9Denmark18.7
10Netherlands18.7
11Grenada18.7
12Turkey18.3
Australasia Avg13.4
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
...
17Sweden17
18Lithuania18
19Macedonia19
20Australia20
21Germany21
22Grenada22
23Poland23
24France24
Australasia Avg58.7
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Maths, Science & Reading
Higher is better
52
Pos.2015
Score52
1Singapore1655
2Hong Kong1598
3Japan1586
...
19Poland1511
20Belgium1508
21=Vietnam1507
21=Australia1507
23UK1499
24Portugal1491
25=France1487
25=Sweden1487
Australasia Avg1512
World Avg1389
q=70.
Religiosity
Lower is better
53
Pos.2018
%53
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
17=Lithuania16
17=S. Korea16
17=Russia16
20Australia18
21=Vietnam18
22Bulgaria19
23=Norway19
24Netherlands20
Australasia Avg18.0
World Avg54.3
q=106.
IQ
Higher is better54
Pos.200654
1=Hong Kong108
1=Singapore108
3S. Korea106
...
24=Czechia98
24=Spain98
24=France98
24=Australia98
24=Denmark98
24=USA98
24=Latvia98
24=Hungary98
Australasia Avg98.5
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
55
Pos.201655
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
26Switzerland87%
27France86%
28S. Korea86%
29Australia85%
30Bahamas85%
31Puerto Rico83%
32=Singapore83%
32=Slovakia83%
Australasia Avg44.3%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
Freedom On The Internet
Lower is better
56
Pos.201256
1Estonia10
2USA12
3Germany15
4Australia18
5Hungary19
6=Philippines23
6=Italy23
8UK25
9=S. Africa26
9=Argentina26
11Ukraine27
12=Brazil27
Australasia Avg18.0
World Avg46.7
q=47.
IT Security
Lower is better
57
Pos.201357
1=Ireland0.11
1=Luxembourg0.11
1=Belize0.11
...
21Poland0.55
22Switzerland0.55
23S. Korea0.56
24Australia0.63
25Libya0.63
26Qatar0.65
27Chile0.66
28Guinea-Bissau0.67
Australasia Avg0.63
World Avg0.98
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
58
Pos.2017
Ratio58
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
...
16Estonia17.6
17Malaysia16.5
18Norway14.7
19Australia14.6
20Trinidad & Tobago14.5
21Finland14.1
22Brazil13.9
23Netherlands10.5
Australasia Avg1.55
World Avg3.82
q=176.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

World Giving Index
Higher is better
59
Pos.2022
%59
1Indonesia68.0
2Kenya61.0
3USA59.0
4Australia55.0
5New Zealand54.0
6Myanmar (Burma)52.0
7=Sierra Leone51.0
7=Canada51.0
9Zambia50.0
10=Ukraine49.0
10=Ireland49.0
12Czechia48.0
Australasia Avg54.5
World Avg39.6
q=125.
Corruption
Higher is better
60
Pos.2022
Points60
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
...
10Ireland77.0
11=Luxembourg77.0
12Hong Kong76.0
13Australia75.0
14=Estonia74.0
14=Uruguay74.0
14=Iceland74.0
14=Canada74.0
Australasia Avg55.83
World Avg42.98
q=180.

Thoughout the 2010s, Australia's score on the Corruption Perception Index declined suddenly; it was amongst the 10 countries with the worse rise in perceived corruption that decade, although it had a good starting point, so only fell from 8th position to 12th.

Happiness
Higher is better
61
Pos.2018
Score61
1Finland7.6
2Norway7.6
3Denmark7.6
...
7Canada7.3
8New Zealand7.3
9Sweden7.3
10Australia7.3
11Israel7.2
12Austria7.1
13Costa Rica7.1
14Ireland7.0
Australasia Avg7.30
World Avg5.38
q=156.
Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
...
45Japan45
46Moldova46
47Greece47
48Australia48
49Seychelles49
50Grenada50
51Chile51
52Bahamas52
Australasia Avg61.1
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
...
99Israel99
100Argentina100
101Seychelles101
102Australia102
103Madagascar103
104Dominica104
105Iceland105
106Bolivia106
Australasia Avg91.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
62
Pos.2023
Score62
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
...
19Malaysia1.51
20Belgium1.52
21Qatar1.52
22Australia1.53
23Mauritius1.55
24Norway1.55
25Estonia1.56
26Slovakia1.58
Australasia Avg1.64
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
51Norway51
52Finland52
53France53
54Australia54
55Italy55
56Mauritius56
57Zambia57
58Romania58
Australasia Avg88.1
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
4Sweden4
5Malta5
6Australia6
7Norway7
8Finland8
9Denmark9
10Switzerland10
11Canada11
12UK12
Australasia Avg103.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
63
Pos.2019
Score63
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
...
77Malaysia2.50
78Brazil2.53
79Ivory Coast2.60
80Australia2.65
81Congo, (Brazzaville)2.69
82Ireland2.69
83Zimbabwe2.83
84Peru2.84
Australasia Avg1.38
World Avg2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better64
Pos.201964
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
...
22Montenegro3.60
23=Cyprus3.60
23=Denmark3.60
25Australia3.70
26=Austria3.70
27France3.80
28=Germany3.80
29UK4.10
Australasia Avg13.47
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better65
Pos.2017
%65
1Ukraine25.0
2=Belarus25.4
2=Slovenia25.4
...
62Portugal35.5
63Macedonia35.6
64India35.7
65=Australia35.8
65=Mauritius35.8
67Romania35.9
68=Gambia35.9
69Greece36.0
Australasia Avg38.3
World Avg38.1
q=152.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#afterlife #belief #buddhism #christianity #god #heaven #hell #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation #universalism

Religiosity (2018)53
Pos.Lower is better
%53
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
17=Lithuania16
17=S. Korea16
17=Russia16
20Australia18
21=Vietnam18
22Bulgaria19
23=Norway19
24Netherlands20
25=Italy21
25=Belarus21
27Ireland22
28=Kazakhstan22
28=Spain22
30Slovakia23
31=Ukraine23
32Canada27
World Avg54.3
q=106.
Disbelief In God (2007)66
Pos.Higher is better
%66
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
...
17S. Korea30
18Finland28
19Russia27
20Australia25
21Taiwan24
22=New Zealand22
22=Canada22
24Latvia20
25=Ukraine20
25=Mongolia20
27Austria18
28=Slovakia17
28=Switzerland17
28=Belarus17
31Greece16
32=Iceland16
World Avg9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below67:

Christian67.3%
Muslim2.4%
Hindu1.4%
Buddhist2.7%
Folk Religion0.7%
Jewish0.5%
Unaffiliated24.2%

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 75% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 18% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Protestant 27.4% (Anglican 18.7%, Uniting Church 5.7%, Presbyterian and Reformed 3%), Catholic 25.8%, Eastern Orthodox 2.7%, other Christian 7.9%, Buddhist 2.1%, Muslim 1.7%, other 2.4%, unspecified 11.3%, none 18.7% (2006 Census)68.

The Afterlife: Ipsos-NA in 2011 gathered some statistics on Australia69. Despite the large numbers of Christians, not many have traditional beliefs in the afterlife - just 13%. More people don't know what to believe (30%). Some believe that upon death, you simply cease to exist (24%). Also, 2% specifically believe in heaven but not in hell (which is nice - making them possible "universalists"). 9% believe in reincarnation.

Links:

12. Christian Child Abuse in Australia70

#australia

There has been a lot of historical abuse of children by individual Christian clergy over previous decades, but also, systematic abuse of children by Christian institutions in Australia. Well after the revelations of the Catholic Church's horrendous activities in Australia in the 1930s to 1960s, continued cases have come to light. So many that in 2008 July, Pope Benedict XVI has himself gone to Australia to apologize for the behaviour of his priesthood there. The Christian Brothers institute saw multiple complaints between 1919 and the 1960s, and a report finds that one of the boys who reported the abuse was physically beaten for it - "the physical abuse at the institutions contributed to a culture where boys were reluctant to report abuse for fear of consequences" and the institution moved 'Brothers' from one place to another when accusations surfaced, but did not attempt to deal with the abuse and then when it all went to concern, they were mostly concerned with avoiding financial costs71.

More cases have emerged amongst Priests from various denominations. Australian Catholic Priest Brian Joseph Spillane finds himself accused of seemingly endless abuses of teens and pre-teens in various circumstances (i.e., in the confessional box and at a Catholic boarding school), between 1971 and 1990. The Salvation Army in Australia is another Christian organisation that has fostered sexual abusers - "boys who attempted to report abuse were punished or accused of lying" according to the Royal Commission72. In another case, a Pastor from a (non-Catholic) Protestant church was caught out in the 1990s. The RCC in Australia, in order to limit further damage, has drawn up guidelines to prevent further abuse. "Roman Catholic bishops have sought to ban their priests from having any private contact with children. Guidelines drawn up with the approval of the Vatican mean that confessionals have to be fitted with glass viewing panels. Priests are also banned from seeing any child alone with the door closed"73.

[ + More on Cases in Australia + ]

Some news excerpts:

Australia's Roman Catholic Church publicly apologised on Thursday to British and Maltese child migrants who suffered abuse including rape, whippings and slave labour in religious institutions. [...] Some children were told that were going on a holiday. [...] Two church bodies said the programme, in which more than 1,000 British and 310 Maltese children were sent to Australian Catholic schools between the late 1930s and 1960s, resulted in "suffering and dislocation". Many children were raped, whipped, stripped of their names and forced to scramble for food thrown on the floor. Some children were also made to do hard labour, including construction work, at some schools.

The inquiry found that migrant children were subjected to systematic abuse in religious schools in Australia, New Zealand and other countries.

"Australian Church apologises to child migrants" (BBC News, 2001)

MOLESTING girls in the confessional box and raping hypnotised boys was part of a pattern of "rampant pedophilia" by a former priest accused of sexually assaulting youngsters, a Sydney court has been told. Brian Joseph Spillane, a former chaplain at St Stanislaus College in Bathurst, [...] has been charged with an additional 29 counts of indecently assaulting 11 males and females, bringing the total number of charges against the former priest to 146. [...] Ms Walker said Mr Spillane sexually assaulted both boys and girls between 1971 and 1990 during his time at both St Stanislaus boys' school in NSW's central west and St Anthony's parish at Marsfield, in Sydney's north. [...] Mr Spillane is accused of serious offences including anal intercourse and group rape at the Bathurst boarding school, Ms Walker said. Teachers at St Stanislaus "hypnotised boys for the purpose of having sexual intercourse with them'', she told the court.

The Australian (2009 Sep 01)

A pastor from a South Australian fundamentalist church has been jailed for eight-and-a-half years after admitting he had sex with two of his teenage daughters [...and] pleaded guilty to seven counts each of incest and unlawful sexual intercourse. The court heard that the man had sex with his daughters for nearly a decade in the 1990s at the family property. The man later told the court he had sex with the girls to "educate" them on how to be good wives - not for his own gratification.

"Fundamentalist Christian pastor jailed for child abuse & incest" (2007 Aug 30)

After further evidence of abuse and cover-ups in Australia was revealed in 2018, criticism of the Pope for failing to provide meaningful leadership in his organisation on this issue resurfaced, so he finally summoned over 100 of the most senior Bishops to the Vatican to discuss it74.

For more, see: