• Summary
• Downloads
• Explanatory Notes
• Related Information
• Past Releases

SOCIAL STATISTICS THEMES

In the 1970s, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) first proposed that wellbeing be measured by defining goal areas, or areas of concern that were of fundamental importance to wellbeing. Based on this idea, Australian social statistics have traditionally been organised around a set of 'aspects of life' considered core to wellbeing. Each aspect was linked to a general social statistics theme: health, work, economic resources, education and learning, housing, crime and justice, family and community, and culture and leisure.

In 2011-12, the ABS undertook a national consultation to review Measures of Australia's Progress (MAP) and ensure it remained relevant with indicators that aligned with the aspirations of Australians for their and the nation's future. Based on this consultation, the ABS revised the set of aspirations to focus on the areas Australians said were most important to them. Each of these aspirations can be linked to a broad social statistics theme. See Wellbeing and social statistics for more details.

Frameworks for Australian Social Statistics includes information on the following social statistics themes:

• Population
• Family and community
• Culture and leisure
• Health
• Learning and knowledge
• Work
• Economic wellbeing
• Housing
• The built and natural environments
• Information and communication technology
• Crime, safety and justice
• Governance