Runing Ye, The University of Melbourne dan Liang Ma, RMIT University
Average commuting times for Australians have increased by 23% in 15 years. And those with long commutes are less satisfied with their work, working hours, work-life balance and even pay.
Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
The official figures show things are fine, but Australia’s most comprehensive tracking survey finds the typical household is worse off than ten years ago.
For families, the HILDA report has little good news – childcare costs, poverty and anxiety are rising, all while women are more involved in the labour market. But there is some reason to hope.
Around 20% of young Australian women had a diagnosis of depression or anxiety in 2017 compared with 12.8% in 2009. But the proportion of people reporting significant symptoms has remained stable.
In 2017, 56% of men aged 18 to 29 lived with one or both parents, up from 47% in 2001. And over the same period, the proportion of women aged 18 to 29 living with their parents rose from 36% to 54%.