Introduction: Australia Download PDF

The Commonwealth of Australia was created in 1901. Australia used its natural resources to not only grow its agricultural and manufacturing industries, but also to help the British in both World Wars. Partly because of the economic reforms pursued in the 1980s, Australia had one of OECD’s fastest growing economies in the 1990s. The country worries about pollution, mostly the depletion of the ozone layer, and controlling the coastal areas, in particular the Great Barrier Reef. Lately, in an effort to increase its contacts in Asia, Australia signed an agreement with Japan, which will lead the way for more collaboration in dealing with terrorism, and for combined disaster relief operations.

Capital City: Canberra (+10 GMT)  
Chief of State: Queen of Australia Elizabeth II represented by Governor General Quentin Bryce  
Head of Govt.: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd  
Currency: Australian dollar  
Main Cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane  
Major Languages: English 78.5%, Chinese 2.5%, Italian 1.6%, Greek 1.3%, Arabic 1.2%, Vietnamese 1%, other 8.2%, unspecified 5.7%  
Calling Code: 61  
Voltage: 230/240  
Stock Exchanges: Australia Stock Exchange  
Primary Religions: Catholic 25.8%, Anglican 18.7%, Uniting Church 5.7%, Presbyterian and Reformed 3%, Eastern Orthodox 2.7%, other Christian 7.9%, Buddhist 2.1%, Muslim 1.7%, other 2.4%, unspecified 11.3%, none 18.7%  

Main Airports

Adelaide Airport (ADL), Melbourne Airport (MEL), Sydney Airport (SYD) (Kingsford Smith)

U.S. Embassy

Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600
tel. (02) 6-214-5600

Corporations

Woolworths (Food Markets)
$45.01 Billion USD
National Australia Bank (Banking)
$41.87 Billion USD
Commonwealth Bank (Banking)
$34.98 Billion USD
Wesfarmers (Conglomerates)
$31.87 Billion USD

Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA
$38,100 (2008 est.)
Inflation Rate
4.4% (2008 est.)
Population
21,262,641 (July 2009 est.)
Country Risk Ratings
A2
Ease of Doing Business
9/181
Global Competitiveness
18/134

Statistics

Labor force:
11.25 million (2008 est.)
Exports:
$190.2 billion (2008 est.)
Exports - partners:
Japan 22.2%, China 14.6%, South Korea 8.2%, India 6.1%, US 5.5%, NZ 4.3%, UK 4.2% (2008)
Imports:
$193.3 billion (2008 est.)
Imports - partners:
China 15.4%, US 12%, Japan 9.1%, Singapore 7%, Germany 5%, Thailand 4.5%, UK 4.3%, Malaysia 4.1% (2008)
Major Industries:
mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel

Rankings

Corruption Perceptions Index
8.7 out of 180
 
The Corruptions Perception Index (CPI) is reported annually by Transparency International, an international civil society organization. The CPI ranks countries in terms of the degree to which corruption exists in the misuse of public power for private benefit among public officials and politicians. CPI is a composite index determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys. The highest ranked country is the country with the least amount of perceived corruption. Index units, 10=least corrupt, 0=most corrupt.

Data collected in 2006

Source: Transparency International

E-readiness Rankings
4 out of 70
 
The E-readiness Ranking is reported yearly by the Economist Intelligence Unit, a research and advisory firm. The E-readiness Ranking evaluates the technological, economic, political and social assets of countries to assess the information and communications technology infrastructure, and the infrastructures benefits on the country's consumers, businesses and governments. The higher ranked countries have a better ability to leverage digital channels for communication, commerce, and government in order to further development.

Data collected in 2008

Source: EIU

Freedom of the Press
19 out of 191
 
The Freedom of the Press Survey is an annual report by The Freedom House, an organization that promotes and researches advocacy of freedom across countries. The Press Survey assesses the degree of print, broadcast, and internet freedom in every country in the world. Ratings are determined by examining three broad categories: the legal environment in which media operate (0-30 points), political influences on reporting and access to information (0-40 points), and economic pressures on content and the dissemination of news (0-30 points). The highest ranked country has the greatest degree of press freedom. Index units, 1-30: Free, 31-60: Partly Free, 61-100: Not Free.

Data collected in 2006

Source: Freedom House

Global Enabling Trade Report
17 out of 118
 
The Global Enabling Trade Report is published yearly by the World Economic Forum, an independent international organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Global Enabling Trade Report analyzes which countries around the world enable trade from country to destination by measuring market access, border administration, transport and communications infrastructure, and the business environment. The highest ranked countries have the best factors, policies, and services facilitating the free flow of goods across borders.

Data collected in 2008

Source: World Economic Forum

Global Services Location Index
45 out of 198
 
The Global Services Location Index is published annually by A.T. Kearney, a global management consulting firm. The Global Services Location Index measures the viability of countries as a potential offshore destination for services, based on their financial attractiveness (0-4 points), people and skills availability (0-3 points), and business environment (0-3 points). The highest ranked country is the most attractive as a potential offshoring destination. Index units, 0=location does not provide offshore support, 10=location does provide offshore support.

Data collected in 2007

Source: A.T. Kearney

Index of Economic Freedom
4 out of 155
 
The Index of Economic Freedom is reported annually by the Heritage Foundation, a research and educational institute. The Index of Economic Freedom analyzes a wide range of issues including trade barriers, corruption, government expenditures, property rights, and tax rates to generate an overall ranking of economic freedom. The highest ranked country is the country with the least number of restrictions and constraints on businesses.

Data collected in 2008

Source: Heritage Foundation

Inward FDI Potential Index
22 out of 140
 
The Inward FDI Potential Index is reported every three years by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, an organization that promotes the integration of developing countries into the world economy. The Inward FDI Potential Index uses several economic factors that are expected to affect an economy’s attractiveness to foreign investors. The higher ranked countries are more attractive to investors. Index units, 0=low scoring country, 1=high scoring country.

Data collected in 2006

Source: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 2006

Tax Misery & Reform Index
37 out of 61
 
The Forbes Tax Misery Index is annually compiled by Forbes, an American publishing and media company. The Tax Misery Index reflects the sum of corporate income, personal income and wealth taxes plus employer social security, employee social security and VAT/sales taxes at the highest marginal rate in each locale. The highest ranked countries impose the harshest taxes while those at the bottom are the most tax friendly.

Data collected in 2008

Source: Forbes

The Globalization Index
13 out of 198
 
The Globalization Index is compiled annually by A.T. Kearney and Foreign Policy. The Globalization Index ranks the major developed and developing countries in the world by analyzing key components of global integration, such as economic, personal, technological, and political integration. The highest ranked country is the most globalized.

Data collected in 2007

Source: Foreign Policy