NAB Quarterly Australian Wellbeing Index: June 2013

Australian wellbeing improved in Q2 despite softening economic conditions. NAB’s Australian Wellbeing Index measured 6.6 points in Q2, up from 6.2 points in Q1, with all survey questions – satisfied life, worthwhile life, happy yesterday and not anxious yesterday – rated higher. Overall wellbeing improved in almost all demographic categories, except in the $75-100k income group, defacto couples, widowed people and labourers. Significantly, there was a notable fall in those expressing “very low” wellbeing and an increase in those rating wellbeing “high”.

NAB Quarterly Australian Consumer Anxiety Index: June 2013

Consumer anxiety fell in June in line with moderating concerns about future spending/savings plans. Consumers still rate cost of living as their main cause of anxiety, but less so than in Q1. Job security still quite a low concern despite softer forward labour market indicators. Among other findings: QLD and VIC the most anxious states; anxiety up for low income groups; women more anxious than men (especially cost of living); anxiety highest in 30-49 age group, labourers and sales/clerical workers. Significantly, more than one-third still rate anxiety “high” for cost of living. While almost one-quarter of consumers remain very worried about their ability to fund retirement, concerns have eased.

For further analysis download the full report.

• NAB Quarterly Australian Wellbeing Index – June 2013 (PDF 117 KB)
• NAB Quarterly Australian Consumer Anxiety Index – June 2013 (PDF 123 KB)