We're overweight, marrying less and buying more

According to an Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication released last week, we're more likely to be overweight, less likely to marry, and consuming more goods and services. A few titbits include:

• The latest figures show that around 7.4 million Australian adults (54%) were overweight or obese. This was an increase of more than 2 million adults from 1995.

• The probability of marrying has declined. If current rates were to continue, 31% of men and 26% of women would never marry.

• The Australian labour force participation rate for women of child-bearing age (15–44 years) rose from 59% to 71% between 1980 and 2005.

• While many goods and services have become more affordable others, such as education and hospital and medical services, have become less affordable because price rises for these services have outpaced increases in income and wealth.

• As our household income has increased so has household spending. The largest increases have been on communication services and goods for recreation and culture.