A new year, a new you! New Year resolutions by numbers (Media Release)

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MEDIA RELEASE
23 December 2013
Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra time)
233/2013
A new year, a new you! New Year resolutions by numbers

Quitting smoking, losing weight or learning something new, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has the stats for you.

ABS Director, Fiona Dowsley said “Our latest Measures of Australia’s Progress (MAP) publication tells you what’s important to Australia for progress.

"After a two year consult with Australians we’ve looked at information about our Society, Economy, Governance and the Environment and overall, Australia is in pretty good shape with more progress, than regress - which is a great result.“

So how do your personal resolutions match up to Australia’s?

“If you’re thinking of quitting smoking in 2014, you’re likely to not be alone.

“The national smoking rate has decreased consistently over the past decade, from 22 per cent in 2001 to 16 per cent in 2011-12, so more of us are definitely quitting.

“However we’re not doing as well with our weight loss efforts, with the proportion of adults who are overweight or obese rising to 63 per cent in 2011-12,” said Ms Dowsley.

Many Australians also promise in the new year to spend more time with family.

“Our MAP publication showed that we put a big importance on taking time to nurture close relationships. However, the amount of Australians who are feeling too rushed or pressed for time has increased from 35 per cent in 1997 to 45 per cent in 2006.

Perhaps studying is the way to go in 2014.

“We found that the proportion of people aged 25-64 years with a vocational or higher education qualification has risen from 54 per cent (5.5 million) to 67 per cent (7.8 million) between 2002 and 2012. Ms Dowsley added.

All the above and more can be found in the latest edition of Measures of Australia's Progress 2013 available for free download from the ABS website (www.abs.gov.au).

The ABS would like to wish all a safe and relaxing festive season and a happy new year

.