National wellbeing deteriorates for the second straight quarter

The NAB Australian Wellbeing Index fell to 63.5 points in Q4 (64.4 points in Q3), with all four survey questions – satisfied life, worthwhile life, happy yesterday and not anxious yesterday – rated lower.

By state, overall wellbeing was highest in SA/NT and lowest in Tasmania (where anxiety increased sharply), after having the highest level of wellbeing in the last survey.

In other demographic categories, overall wellbeing was also rated significantly lower among retirees, those earning $75-100K, women aged 18-29 and those with diplomas. Labourers were the only group to report significantly higher wellbeing in Q4.

In a Special Report (“Factors Impacting Wellbeing”) also released today we take a closer look at key drivers of wellbeing. The most important influences on positive wellbeing include:

• personal relationships
• your home
• personal safety.

In contrast financial security and physical health detracted most from wellbeing.

For further analysis download the full report:

• NAB Quarterly Australian Wellbeing Index – Q4 2013 (PDF, 165KB)
• NAB Quarterly Australian Wellbeing Index – Q4 2013 Special Report: Factors Impacting Wellbeing (PDF, 61KB)