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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11
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
12
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
14
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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22
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)