Report – Is Australia becoming more unequal?
June 11th, 2019
In a research paper released in August last year, the Productivity
Commission brought together the most recent evidence measuring inequality,
poverty and disadvantage in Australia.
Excessive inequality and entrenched disadvantage can
erode social cohesion and hinder growth. But measuring the extent of inequality
is not straight-forward. No single metric can provide a definitive answer to
the question of whether inequality, poverty and disadvantage in Australia have
risen, fallen or remained steady.
The Commission used an array of indicators to examine
trends in inequality, including the distribution and composition of household
income, consumption and wealth. Movements within the distributions over time,
and in response to life events – such as transitions to work, divorce and
retirement – were also examined.
To read more and access the full report visit the Productivity Commission website.