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Aussies ‘richer, healthier, taller’

Australians are richer, healthier, more educated, less likely to develop cancer and taller than ever before, according to a new study into living standards.

The Institute of Public Affairs’ latest report has found an increase in Australian life expectancy and a large decrease in cancer rates since the 1990s.

• Foods you can (and should) be eating every day
• Electricity bills are unaffordable for many

The average Australian male has grown almost one centimetre since 1995, thanks to improvements in nutrition and healthcare.

Additionally, the study found female participation in the workforce has tripled since 1960, with 60 per cent of women now earning their own income.

Australians are definitely richer than ever before too, with total household wealth growing from $46 billion in 1960 to $7 trillion.

“Australians have come a long way over these past two centuries, as evidenced by the numerous improvements in our health, education, and material living standards,” said the report.

“As diseases are increasingly being conquered thanks to medical technologies, nutritional improvements and cleaner living environments, we are surmounting the perilous hurdle of infant mortality to live, on average, to an older age with each passing generation.”

Despite the improvements in health and wealth, the IPA lamented the cost of living as well as housing unaffordability, with utility prices doubling since 2001 and median house prices outgrowing income.

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