STATISTICS NEWS NSW
Recent release of key demographic publications
Australian Social Trends: Latest edition
Charting Progress, Building Visions, Improving Life: the 3rd OECD World Forum in Korea
NatStats 2010 Conference
ABS Data Quality Framework
RECENT RELEASES OF KEY DEMOGRAPHIC PUBLICATIONS
Demographic statistics provide measures of the Australian population, its size, growth, composition and geographic distribution, as well as the components that shape population change: births, deaths and migration. The following key demographic publications were recently released.
Births, Australia, 2008 (cat. no. 3301.0) was released on 11 November 2009. This publication provides detailed statistics on live births: male and female births; births of Indigenous children; age and birthplace of parents; duration of marriage; previous children; nuptial and ex-nuptial births; single and multiple births; usual residence of mother (by state or territory); and regional comparisons. Also includes fertility rates. Populations used in the calculation of fertility rates for 2006 and earlier years are the final estimated resident population by age and sex based on results of the 2006 Census of Population and Housing (2006 Census) and earlier censuses. Fertility rates for 2007 use revised 30 June 2007 estimated resident population while rates for 2008 use preliminary 30 June 2008 estimated resident population.
Perinatal Deaths, Australia, 2007 (cat. no. 3304.0) was released on 12 November 2009. This release presents statistics on the number of perinatal deaths, for year of registration by state or territory of Australia, sex and cause of death classified to the World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Data published is for reference years from 1999 to 2007. In prior years, these statistics have been included in Causes of Death, Australia (cat. no. 3303.0).
Deaths, Australia, 2008 (cat. no. 3302.0) was released on 25 November 2009. This publication presents statistics on deaths and mortality for Australia, states and territories, and sub-state regions. Information on characteristics of the deceased include place of usual residence, age at death, sex, Indigenous status and country of birth. Information is also provided on infant deaths, life expectancy and death rates.
Australian Demographic Statistics, June 2009 (cat. no. 3101.0) was released on 3 December 2009. This publication contains quarterly estimates of total population for states, territories and Australia. It includes the most recent estimates of the population in five-year age groups; numbers (and some rates) of births, deaths, infant deaths, interstate and overseas movements. Quarterly and/or annual time series tables are included throughout. Also included are projected resident populations, projected population in households, projected number of households and projected average household size for states, territories and Australia.
Population by Age and Sex, Australian States and Territories, June 2009 (cat. no. 3201.0) was released on 9 December 2009. This publication presents estimates of population for each state and territory classified by sex and single years of age (0-84); also grouped ages, sex ratios, median and mean ages of the population.
Life Tables, New South Wales, 2006-2008 (cat. no. 3302.1.55.001) was released on 11 December 2009. This release contains life tables for males and females resident in New South Wales, for the reference period. A life table is a statistical model used to represent mortality of a population. In its simplest form, a life table is generated from age-specific death rates and the resulting values are used to measure mortality, survivorship and life expectancy.
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AUSTRALIAN SOCIAL TRENDS: LATEST EDITION
The ABS released the latest edition of Australian Social Trends (cat. no. 4102.0) on 10 December 2009. The publication draws together a wide range of statistics from the ABS and other official sources to provide a picture of Australian society and how it is changing over time.
The latest edition features six articles:
- Patterns in work
- Living alone
- Jobless families
- Smoking, risky drinking and obesity
- Preschool attendance
- International comparisons
The release also included indicator spreadsheets presenting national and state summary data on health and economic resources.
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CHARTING PROGRESS, BUILDING VISIONS, IMPROVING LIFE: THE 3RD OECD WORLD FORUM IN KOREA
What does ‘progress’ mean in today’s world? And how can we measure it?
These questions and more were explored at the 3rd OECD World Forum on
'Statistics, Knowledge and Policy' in Busan, Korea on 27-30 October 2009.
The Forum was the third in a series organised by the OECD’s
Global Project on Measuring the Progress of Societies. The Project encourages knowledge-sharing and networking amongst practitioners involved in progress measurement around the world. In recent decades a global movement has emerged towards developing new definitions and measures of progress that go beyond GDP to capture the social and environmental dimensions of wellbeing. As governments grapple with the challenges of the global financial crisis and climate change, there is now a strong political demand for better data to measure the impact of policy on all dimensions of wellbeing. This was reflected in the months leading up to the Busan Forum with the release of three major statements in support of better measures of progress:
Nearly 2,000 delegates from over 50 countries attended the Forum in Korea and heard presentations by leading researchers, Nobel Laureates, heads of statistical agencies and civil society organisations, and policy-makers. Topics discussed included: how to measure aspects of wellbeing such as time use, sustainability and inequality; how to engage citizens and policy-makers in defining and measuring progress; and tools to use in disseminating and communicating results.
The OECD has released a
Roadmap outlining actions it will take to support the Global Project and Forums into the future in collaboration with partner countries. Australia is well-placed to contribute, with its strong network of community indicator practitioners and the support of the ABS and NSS, as outlined in the
Community Indicators Summit Declaration.
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NATSTATS 2010 CONFERENCE
The Australian Bureau of Statistics will be hosting another
NatStats conference, this time at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour on 15-17 September 2010.
NatStats 2010 will build on the enthusiasm and passion generated by delegates at
NatStats08 which was held in Melbourne. NatStats 2010 aims to build stronger links with key stakeholders, strengthen the understanding of statistical issues within and across governments, and consolidate support for current and emerging statistical initiatives.
An exciting program is being developed and will address a range of issues regarding national statistics. If you would like to hear more about NatStats 2010 Conference, or have any suggestions, please email
natstats@nss.gov.au
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ABS DATA QUALITY FRAMEWORK
The
ABS Data Quality Framework (cat. no. 1520.0) was released 4 May, 2009. This framework provides the standards for assessing and reporting on the quality of statistical information. It is a tool which improves a user's ability to:
- decide whether a dataset or statistical product is fit for purpose (which in turn helps to identify data gaps);
- assess the data quality of seemingly similar collections; and
- interpret data.
It can also assist those developing statistical collections to produce high quality outputs.
The ABS Data Quality Framework is designed for use by a range of data users and providers in different settings, including government agencies, statistical agencies and independent research agencies. For example, the ABS Data Quality Framework will be used to assess the quality of performance indicator data linked to a number of National Agreements in key policy areas signed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in late 2008.
For more information about the ABS Data Quality Framework, please contact Peter Damcevski, (ABS NSW) on (02) 9268 4238 or by email
peter.damcevski@abs.gov.au.
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