A short comparison between the economies of Australia and Hong Kong. Covers topics such as employment & unemployment, quality of life, environment sustainability and economic growth. Made for Year 11 Economics Class (February 2013).

1. By: Dayna Flavin & Raquel Smith

2. RANK STATE/TERRITORY PERCENTAGE
1 Tasmania 6.8%
2 Queensland 5.9&
3 South Australia 5.7%
4 Victoria 5.6%
5 New South Wales 4.8%
6 Northern Territory 4.2%
7 Western Australia 3.9%
8 Australia Capital 3.6%
Territory
Unemployment Rate

3.  By January 2010, employment increased to
11,546,700.
 Unemployment increased to 657,800.
Employed People

4.  Employment:
 Out of a work-eligible population of 3.65
million as of 2007, 3.46 million were full-
time employees, 117,800 were unemployed
and 75,500 under-employed
 Unemployment:
 In January 2013, Hong Kong’s Unemployment
Rate enlarged to 3.40%, the Rate being 3.30%
in December 2012. In 2007 it averaged at
4.1%, the fourth straight year of decline,
having increased to 5.3% in 2009.

5.  The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in
Australia has expanded 0.50% in the third
quarter of 2012 over the previous quarter.
 Historically, from 1959 to 2012, the
Australian GDP growth rate average at 2.9%
achieving an all time high of 4.5% in March,
1976 and an all time low of -2.0% in June
1974.

6.  The economy of Hong Kong is one of Asia’s
most advanced economies and one of the
post-war world’s fastest growing economy.
 Though the world’s most freest and
competitive economy’s pace has reduced to
0.9% in growth compared to its 5% expansion
in 2011.

7.  Australian quality of life is one of the highest
qualities of life in the world.
 Australia’s economic and political advantages
are complemented by its welcoming attitude
and excellent quality of life.
 In 2009, Australia’s quality of life was ranked
number 6 out of 57 key economies, higher
than New Zealand, the USA and the UK.

8.  Hong Kong is the 3rd most liveable city in
Asia.
 But among the world’s worst air quality
 The life expectancy of someone in Hong
Kong is 82.12 years, while the infant
mortality rate is 2.9 deaths to 1000 live births
(with males at 3.07 deaths and females at
2.71 deaths).
 93.5% of Hong Kong’s population aged 15
and over has attended school (with males at
96.9% and females at 89.6% as of 2002).

9.  Australia has a fine line between natural
environment and man made land.
 Australia has high priority to protect the
nature around Australia
 The Daintree Rainforest is one of the
protected areas in Australia.
 Australia has many unique and amazing
animals and plants.

10.  Hong Kong is the 3rd most liveable countries
in Asia.
 But, the one of the most unclean air.
 The air quality is so unclean it doesn’t just
affect plants and animals it also affects
humans, in some cases, humans can get
asthma because of the unclean air quality.
 Bronchial infections have also soared in the
past couple of years.

11.  Health care:
 The aim of the national health care in
Australia is to give universal health care to all
Australian citizens.
 The major part of the national health care
system is called ‘Medicare’. Medicare
provides quality health care which is both
affordable and accessible to all Australian
citizens.

12.  Education is compulsory from age 5- 16
years old.
 Government schools educate approximately
65% of Australian students, with about 34% in
catholic and independent schools.
 Public schools are free to attend schools
while catholic and private schools pay an
extra fee.
Mitchel Building at the University of
Adelaide, South Australia, 3rd oldest
university in the country

13.  During 2011/12, public spending on
education totalled at $68.7 billion.
 Government schools are free from nine years
to 12 years (as of 2008/2009 school year)
and have a curriculum advised by the
Government.
 Aided schools are financially aided by the
Government, though they are run by
voluntary bodies.
 Some private schools receive monetary relief
from the Government.

14.  The Hong Kong government operates
hospitals to all citizens which generally make
up most of the health care system, though
people may also choose to visit a private
hospital.
 Government-operated hospitals cost the
government approximately 3% of Gross
Domestic Product (GBP).