Social Change in Western Australia Growing bigger and more unequal

Social Change in Western Australia

Growing bigger and more unequal

Some headline changes

• Increased population• Urban expansion• Pressure on key services & infrastructure• Growing average incomes• Increased cost of living?• Heavy reliance on mining & resource sectors

But also……

Some downsides

• Urban sprawl – cost, isolation, health effects;• “Fly-in”, “fly-out” life style – affects families;• Services unable to keep up;• Increased housing costs – steady decline in social

housing/ affordable housing;• Environmental degradation;• Growing inequality;• Poverty levels not declining;

And some shifts in community attitudes?

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How much richer are the richest 20% than the poorest 20%?

www.equalitytrust.org.ukSource: Wilkinson & Pickett, The Spirit Level (2009)4

AustraliaDistribution of Household Wealth and Household Disposable Income by Decile

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Actual, Estimated and Ideal Wealth Distribution by Quintile: Australia

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Health and Social Problems are Worse in More Unequal Countries

Index of: • Life expectancy• Math & Literacy • Infant mortality• Homicides• Imprisonment• Teenage births • Trust• Obesity• Mental illness – incl.

drug & alcohol addiction• Social mobility

Source: Wilkinson & Pickett, The Spirit Level (2009) www.equalitytrust.org.uk

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The Prevalence of Mental Illness is Higher in More Unequal Rich Countries

Source: Wilkinson & Pickett, The Spirit Level (2009) www.equalitytrust.org.uk

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Drug Use is More Common in More Unequal Countries

Source: Wilkinson & Pickett, The Spirit Level (2009)

Index of use of: opiates, cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy, amphetamines

www.equalitytrust.org.uk

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Rates of Imprisonment are Higher in More Unequal Countries

Source: Wilkinson & Pickett, The Spirit Level (2009) www.equalitytrust.org.uk

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Child Well-being is Better in More Equal Rich Countries

Source: Wilkinson & Pickett, The Spirit Level (2009) www.equalitytrust.org.uk

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Impact of socio-economic status on reading outcomes (percentage of variance in reading score explained by ESCS)

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Yr 3 Reading Yr 5 Reading Yr 7 Reading Yr 9 Reading300

350

400

450

500

550

600

650

#REF!

Not in paid work

Machine operators, hospitality staff, assistants and labourers

Tradespeople, clerks, skilled office, sales and service staff

Other business managers and associate professionals

Senior management and qualified professionals

Parental Occupation

Mea

n S

cale

Sco

res

Yr 3 Reading Yr 5 Reading Yr 7 Reading Yr 9 Reading300

350

400

450

500

550

600

650

#REF!

Year 11

Year 12

Certificate

Diploma

Bachelor

Parental Education

Mea

n S

cale

Sco

res

Impact of disadvantage on performance – socioeconomic status

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Cognitive Score: Socioeconomic status more important than starting point

High Cognitive Score at 22 months

Low Cognitive Score at 22 months

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Child’s age (years)

Cogn

itive

sco

re

perc

entil

e po

sitio

n at

eac

h ag

e

(I Feinstein. Inequality in cognitive development. 1970 British Births. Economica 2003; 70: 3-97) (from The Marmot Review 2010)