Happy happy, joy joy!
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Australia is still the world’s happiest nation!
Ren and Stimpy are happy to hear the news!
The findings, based on criteria including income, job, housing and health, despite some signs of a slowing economy, show Australia kept the top spot for the third straight year, leading Sweden and Canada, the Paris-based group’s Better Life Index showed, when each of 11 categories surveyed in 36 nations is given equal weight.
More than 73 percent of people aged 15 to 64 in Australia have a paid job, above the OECD average of 66 percent, while life expectancy at birth in Australia is almost 82 years, two years higher than the OECD average, the survey showed.
“Australia performs exceptionally well in measures of well-being, as shown by the fact that it ranks among the top countries in a large number of topics in the Better Life Index,” the OECD said.
Topics like what, you ask?
Aussies make big bikkies
The bummer? The organization also pointed out that there is a considerable gap between the richest and poorest: the top 20 percent of the population earn six times as much as the bottom 20 percent.
Let’s chuck a sickie!
The data also showed Australian work fewer hours a year than their OECD peers. The average Australian works 1,693 hours, compared with most people in the OECD who work 1,776 hours a year.
Loyal to yer mates
Australians also share a stronger sense of community than the OECD average. According to the the report, 94 percent of people “believe they know someone they could rely on in a time a need, higher than the OECD average of 90 percent.
Aussies rock the vote
Moreover, more Australians participate in the democratic process than anywhere else in the OECD, with 93 percent voter turnout during the last election, the highest among the surveyed countries. The average is 72 percent.
Can’t get no satisfaction?
Australians are also more satisfied with their lives than the OECD average, with 84 percent of people saying they have more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is higher than the OECD average of 80 percent.
Why study in Oz?
Some of the world’s best universities. Innovative programs, some available nowhere else. A wonderful climate. A reasonable cost of living. Exotic travel experiences. Incredibly friendly people.
For students, Australia pretty much has it all. Which is why it has more than 250,000 international students, making it one of world’s most popular foreign study destinations.
Besides being a great experience, studying at an Australian university is a great way to gain an edge in an increasingly globalized economy. No matter which university or program you choose, international study in Australia will give you access to unique academic, professional and personal opportunities.
Proudly Canadian, OzTREKK is the only organization that is a student office and Application and Information Centre in Canada for the following combination of Australian universities:
- Bond University
- James Cook University
- Macquarie University
- Monash University
- University of Melbourne
- University of Newcastle
- University of Queensland
- University of Sydney
We’re the Application and Information Centre for Canadian students applying to or inquiring about study abroad, undergraduate and graduate/professional programs at any of the above Australian universities.
The OzTREKK Application and Information Centre is free to all students as its services are provided on behalf of, and fully funded by, the above Australian universities.
Contact OzTREKK for more information about how you can study in Australia!
Email OzTREKK at info@oztrekk.com or call toll free in Canada 1 866-698-7355 for more information about Australian universities!
