• Australia’s social security payments are lower, and fewer people receive them, than in other comparable countries.

• A survey of 16 OECD nations revealed that Australia spends less on social security payments in proportion to Gross Domestic Product than all countries except Japan, Ireland and the US.

• The proportion of people relying on social security payments in Australia is fourth lowest of these 16 OECD countries.

• Of 18 OECD countries surveyed, the average level of payment for an unemployed Australian was third lowest. Only the US and Italy have lower rates.

[Source: <http://www.acoss.org.au>. Got a shockfact? Email <glw@greenleft.org.au>.]

From Green Left Weekly, September 29, 2004.
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