4102.0 - Australian Social Trends, 1998  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 03/06/1998   
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MEDIA RELEASE

June 03, 1998
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
60/1998

Australian social trends out today - ABS

A statistical profile of contemporary Australian society has been released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) as the fifth edition of its annual publication, Australian Social Trends 1998.

The 200 page report monitors changes in the nation's social conditions and social well-being over time by drawing on the latest ABS sources of social, labour and demographic data as well as those from external sources.

Through the 30 plus articles it explores a set of key social issues. These include articles pertaining to particular aspects of population growth and distribution, families, health and education, employment, income distribution and housing.

This year the five articles in the feature chapter review people's concerns about, and attitudes to, the environment and examine how these concerns translate into action regarding transport choices, waste management and energy use.

There are also 14 national and state summary tables, providing more than 200 key social indicators (aimed at showing at a glance how social conditions have been changing over time) and tables of international comparisons for 18 countries including major OECD countries and Australian's nearest neighbours and major trading partners.

The Australian Social Trends series, combining carefully selected tables and graphs with commentary, is designed to become an inclusive reference on the nation's social issues. Australian Social Trends 1998 (cat. no. 4102.0) is available at ABS bookshops in all capital cities.