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ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION

Economic statistics provide information about material living standards, which is important in both the study of economy and social science. From a social perspective, the value and distribution of personal income reflects the capacity of individuals to purchase goods and services. Data on people's income and employment provide, in aggregate, information on the State's economy.

As well as providing information on the State's economy, this data often contains important information about the living standards and material well-being of the population within Queensland. For example, Labour force participation provides a measure of the degree of economic dependency of the population, by looking at the proportion of the working age population involved in income generating economic activity.

A few meaningful indicators, that bring out the main features of people's economic characteristics, can provide a useful summary of a large mass of information. Such indicators can give a quick, uncomplicated overview of social conditions, monitor changes over time of important social issues, and are valuable in focusing public discussion and informing government decision making.

Data on many topics is to be found within ABS publications, listed within the ABS Catalogue of Publications (cat. no. 1101.0). Many of these publications present information on each State, and further data may be available on request.

Researchers and users of data are also encouraged to refer to relevant topics relating to ABS Statistical concepts and classifications within the ABS Statistical Concepts Library and for reference material on ABS statistical collections, the Directory of Statistical Sources.

The documents within this section of Queensland in Review aim to present a selected range of statistics as they relate to the economic characteristics of the population. They are certainly not comprehensive of all issues, nor all the available data concerning the people of Queensland.