Most of us would agree that Australia has a lot going for it. But what is it that defines us?
McCrindle Research has put together a list of Australia’s seven defining traits — from our relative prosperity to entrepreneurial spirit.
They have characterised us for decades, but as times change and new trends emerge, how relevant are they to who we are as a nation today?
1. THE LUCKY COUNTRY
“Statistics show that Australia is doing better than ever when it comes to health, education, economic opportunities, and even political participation,” writes social researcher Mark McCrindle.
The economy is on a steady increase, even despite the global economic crisis, and net disposable income for everyday Australians is now $10,000 more than it was a decade ago.
While the EU, G20, OECD and US have all experienced recessions in the past seven years, Australia has not. Our average life expectancy has increased by two years in the past decade, and by 10 years over the past four decades.
“We value independence but in a community-minded way,” he writes. “As Aussies we recognise that individual achievement rarely occurs without a helping hand from others. After all we call this the lucky country — we don’t take the credit for it all ourselves.”
2. BIG AUSTRALIA
Australia’s population has doubled since 1966, exceeding 23 million for the first time in April 2013. Fuelled by an increased birthrate, life expectancy and migration, Australia has grown at a rate of 1.7 per cent per year, above the world average of 1.0 per cent.
“Not only is Australia the fastest growing OECD nation, but its population is increasing faster than Indonesia, India, and Malaysia,” McCrindle writes.
Net overseas migration accounts for around 60 per cent of our population growth, with natural increase accounting for 40 per cent.
We have an average population density of 2.99 people per square kilometre, but concentration in urban areas is leading to densification — more new housing approvals in greater Sydney are medium density rather than detached homes.
3. THE CLEVER COUNTRY
While our top five industries 30 years ago were all industrial — mining, utilities, manufacturing, construction and transport — there has been a shift to professional industries. The top five today are mining, technical, IT, financial and utilities.
“While once derogatorily referred to as the world’s quarry, it turns out that we are the clever country after all with more people than ever employed in science and technical roles,” he writes.
“The Australian workforce has undergone significant structural change and we’ve moved from an industrial base to a knowledge base.”
And we’re getting, if not necessarily smarter, at least more educated. One in five Baby Boomers have a university degree, whereas one in four Gen Xs, and one in three Gen Ys have one. That figure is expected to be one in two for Gen Z.
4. THE LAND OF THE MIDDLE CLASS
Australia’s median household income is $47,736. This is 2.6 times Spain’s household income of $18,531, and three times Greece on $15,823.
We pride ourselves on being the land of the fair go, where people are taken at face value and class and values based on where people are from or where they were educated don’t rate highly.
“Lifestyles are busy and our lives are complex but our culture is down-to-earth, and mainstream recreations are simple. Regardless of income or social status, there are rich pleasures offered in Australia, and these are all the more appreciated in times of rising living costs,” he writes.
“It is a collaborative rather than individualistic culture and this teamwork, a mix of mateship and altruism, creates a context where neighbourhoods and communities are defined by diversity and connecting rather than class and hierarchies.”
5. THE SMALL BUSINESS NATION
The Aussie spirit of independence and do-it-yourself attitude means we have always been an entrepreneurial nation. There are 2.1 million businesses in Australia, just 39 per cent of which are employing businesses.
More than two thirds (69 per cent) of those have between 1-4 employees, 6.2 per cent have 5-19 employees, 24.3 per cent have 20-199 employees, and just 0.5 per cent employ more than 200.
However, the tough economic times are having an impact. Only half (51 per cent) of new businesses survive four years in operation, and one in 10 cease operation every year.
“For many Australians, the entrepreneurial dream is still alive but as demonstrated by the survival rates of new businesses, without better support, only a minority will achieve success.”
6. LAND OF THE LONG WEEKEND
Now we’re talking. Aussies enjoy between 11 and 12 public holidays, in addition to four weeks’ annual leave — more than most countries, and twice the annual leave of the average worker in the US.
On the flip side, McCrindle notes, Australians also work some of the longest hours compared with other nations and spend a large amount of time in schooling. On average, we work 38 hours per week — 41 for males and 35.8 for females.
“The ‘no worries’ attitude is strong but it is more ‘no worries, we’ll sort it out’ rather than ‘no worries, she’ll be right’,” he writes.
“The ‘can-do’ culture balances the ‘long weekend’ mindset to shape a people who enjoy time off and know how to holiday — but work hard to earn the break.”
7. THE TYRANNY OF DISTANCE
The geographic and cultural isolation that once characterised the land ‘Down Under’ is no longer the case today, argues McCrindle. While we’re a long way from the UK, our historical and population links remain strong.
More importantly, we are closely located to the new epicentre of economic growth in Asia — our region is home to 60 per cent of the global population and the fastest growing nations on earth.
“Australia is a regional hub for many multinational organisations with operations in Asia, and is in its own right a globally connected, business influencer, cultural exporter and regional leader. The cultural cringe has given way to sophistication, cultural diversity and global influence.”
And our Asian links are only getting stronger: China, India, Vietnam and the Philippines are in the top seven birth countries of Australians born overseas.
Originally published as Seven things that make us Aussie by frank.chung@news.com.au
