| ECONOMY |
| Overview |
Australia
has a prosperous Western-style capitalist economy, with a
per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European
economies. Rising output in the domestic economy has been
offsetting the global slump, and business and consumer confidence
remains robust. Australia's emphasis on reforms is another
key factor behind the economy's strength. The stagnant economic
conditions in major export partners and the impact of the
worst drought in 100 years cast a shadow over prospects for
2003. |
| GDP |
purchasing power parity - $525.5
billion (2002 est.) |
| GDP
- real growth rate |
3.6% (2002 est.) |
| GDP
- per capita |
purchasing power parity - $26,900
(2002 est.) |
| GDP
- composition by sector |
agriculture: 3%
industry: 26%
services: 71% (2001 est.) |
| Population
below poverty line |
NA% |
| Inflation
rate (consumer prices) |
2.8% (2002 est.) |
| Labor
force |
9.2 million (37256) |
| Labor
force - by occupation |
services 73%, industry 22%, agriculture
5% (1997 est.) |
| Unemployment
rate |
6.3% (2002) |
| Industries |
mining, industrial and transportation
equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel |
| Industrial
production growth rate |
4.3% (2002 est.) |