Social Capital – Information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides an up-to-date reference online to the progress of its Social Capital Project.

Social capital has emerged as an area of great interest both nationally and internationally.

There is a widely held view that social and economic outcomes of individuals, families and communities are better in areas and for groups where there are higher levels of social capital.

Policy interest centres on the nature of the relationship between social capital and outcomes in areas such as health, education, work, and income, as well as the ways in which social capital can be fostered.

For this reason, the ABS is interested in developing national and state measures of social capital for future inclusion in its survey program.

The ABS Social Capital Information covers:

• What is Social Capital? (ABS uses the OECD definition)
• Why is it of interest?
• Why is ABS involved?
• Statistical Framework of Social Capital
• Earlier and current work
• Related web sites

For further information

Contact	:	Australian Bureau of Statistics Social Capital Unit
Phone	:	02 6252 7880
Fax	:	02 6252 7784
Email	:	elisabeth.davis@abs.gov.au

WWW

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http://www.abs.gov.au