1300.1 - New South Wales Year Book, 2004  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 29/03/2004   
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MEDIA RELEASE

March 29, 2004
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
49/2004
Snapshot of News South Wales

An economic and social snapshot of New South Wales was released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) with the 84th edition of the New South Wales Year Book.

New South Wales Regional Director, John Struik, said the 2004 New South Wales Year Book is a complete reference for students, analysts, commentators and decision-makers.

"Information in the New South Wales Year Book is sourced from both the ABS and other organisations and provides a valuable starting point for informed decision making, research and discussion in our community," he said.

The wide ranging publication is also a useful ongoing media resource for stories and covers topics such as the environment, health, education, housing, and commerce.

The New South Wales (NSW) Year Book highlights:
  • NSW continues to have around one-third of the Australian population.
  • There were 3,944,900 registered vehicles at 31 March 2003.
  • In March 2003, 95% of households recycled waste, 80% re-used waste, and less than 4% didn't recycle and/or re-use waste.
  • Just over 60% of households had access to a computer at home in 2002.
  • For every 1,000 people there were 5.5 marriages in 2002, equalling the lowest rate on record.
  • In 2002, 84% of people considered themselves to be in good, very good or excellent health.
  • The value of housing loans was $44.3b in 2002-03, an increase of nearly 8% from $41.1b in 2001-02.
  • Personal fixed loans in 2002-03 totalled just under $9.2b. Of this, 34% was for the purchase of motor vehicles.
  • In August 2003, 76% of employed persons in NSW worked in service industries.
  • During 2002-03, the countries which had the most short-term visitors to NSW were New Zealand (283,000), the United Kingdom (279,600) and the United States of America (218,400).
  • The main destinations for NSW exports in 2002-03 were Japan ($4,384m), New Zealand ($2,060m) and the United States of America ($1,964m).


Further details can be found in the 2004 New South Wales Year Book (cat. no. 1300.1).