High quality of life

Australians are happy, thanks to clean, safe and well-organised cities, superb educational institutions and a robust healthcare system.

Top marks for talent attraction

Australia is a magnet for talented workers. The OECD ranks Australia fourth out of 38 countries when it comes to talent attractiveness. This index takes into account variables such as:

  • career opportunities
  • income
  • tax structure
  • skills development prospects
  • inclusivity
  •  quality of life. 

These qualities set Australia apart. They make it easier for investors to attract and retain the best global professionals and ensure strong support for investment plans in Australia.

The bar chart shows the Talent Attractiveness Index in 2023. The chart shows the economy, its global ranking, and its talent attractiveness value according to the index. The figures are: New Zealand (ranked #1) index value 0.64; Sweden (ranked #2) index value 0.62; Switzerland (ranked #3) index value 0.62; Australia (ranked #4) index value 0.62; Norway (ranked #5) index value 0.61; Luxembourg (ranked #6) index value 0.59; UK (ranked #7) index value 0.59; US (ranked #8) index value 0.58; Netherlands (ranked #9) index value 0.57; Canada (ranked #10) index value 0.57; Finland (ranked #14) index value 0.55; Germany (ranked #15) index value 0.55; France (ranked #17) index value 0.54; Japan (ranked #22) index value 0.5; Spain (ranked #23) index value 0.5; Korea (ranked #25) index value 0.5; Italy (ranked #31) index value 0.44; Mexico (ranked #36) index value 0.36; Türkiye (ranked #37) index value 0.33; and Costa Rica (ranked #38) index value 0.32.

The number in brackets indicates the economy’s ranking across 38 economies.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2024, data provided by the International Migration Division of the OECD; Austrade.

No worries, we’re happy!

Australia was the happiest country in the Asia and Oceania regions and the ninth globally in 2023, according to a World Happiness Index. This is due to many factors such including:

  • high incomes
  • a sense of personal freedom
  • our spirit of generosity
  • trust in institutions
  • income equality. 

Australia’s lifestyle, attitudes and values can be core considerations for global companies who want to relocate employees and families into the Asia-Pacific region.

The image has a table and a graph. The table’s columns are the economy, the happiness index in 2023, the world ranking and the Asia-Pacific ranking. The information in the table is: Finland index = 7.7 world rank =1 regional rank =na; Denmark index = 7.5 world rank =3 regional rank =na; Australia index = 7 world rank =9 regional rank =1; Luxembourg index = 7 world rank =10 regional rank =na; New Zealand index = 7 world rank =12 regional rank =2; Canada index = 6.8 world rank =17 regional rank =na; United Kingdom index = 6.7 world rank =26 regional rank =na; Singapore index = 6.7 world rank =28 regional rank =5; United States index = 6.5 world rank =34 regional rank =na; Vietnam index = 6.3 world rank =44 regional rank =7; and Korea index = 6.1 world rank =55 regional rank =12. The graph plots the happiness index against the GDP per capita on a logarithmic scale. A straight line displays the relationship, the greater the GDP per capita, the greater the happiness. The information (country, happiness, GDP) is: Afghanistan index = 1.4 GDP per capita log = 7.3; Australia index = 7 GDP per capita log = 10.8; Bangladesh index = 4.1 GDP per capita log = 8.8; Brazil index = 6.6 GDP per capita log = 9.6; Canada index = 6.8 GDP per capita log = 10.8; China index = 6.1 GDP per capita log = 9.9; Ethiopia index = 4.1 GDP per capita log = 7.8; Finland index = 7.7 GDP per capita log = 10.8; Gambia index = 4.7 GDP per capita log = 7.7; Germany index = 6.8 GDP per capita log = 10.9; Honduras index = 5.9 GDP per capita log = 8.7; Hong Kong SAR index = 5.3 GDP per capita log = 11; India index = 4.7 GDP per capita log = 8.9; Indonesia index = 5.7 GDP per capita log = 9.5; Iran index = 5 GDP per capita log = 9.7; Ireland index = 6.8 GDP per capita log = 11.7; Japan index = 5.9 GDP per capita log = 10.7; Lebanon index = 3.6 GDP per capita log = 9.5; Lux. index = 7 GDP per capita log = 11.6; Mexico index = 7 GDP per capita log = 9.9; Mozambique index = 5.7 GDP per capita log = 7.1; Nepal index = 5.4 GDP per capita log = 8.3; New Zealand index = 7 GDP per capita log = 10.7; Nigeria index = 4.9 GDP per capita log = 8.5; Rwanda index = 3.3 GDP per capita log = 7.7; Sierra Leone index = 3.5 GDP per capita log = 7.4; Singapore index = 6.7 GDP per capita log = 11.6; South Africa index = 5.1 GDP per capita log = 9.5; Korea index = 6.1 GDP per capita log = 10.7; Sri Lanka index = 3.6 GDP per capita log = 9.4; Switzerland index = 7 GDP per capita log = 11.2; Tanzania index = 4 GDP per capita log = 7.9; Thailand index = 6.3 GDP per capita log = 9.8; Türkiye index = 5.5 GDP per capita log = 10.4; UAE index = 6.7 GDP per capita log = 11.2; UK index = 6.7 GDP per capita log = 10.8; US index = 6.5 GDP per capita log = 11.1; Vietnam index = 6.3 GDP per capita log = 9.4; Zambia index = 3.7 GDP per capita log = 8.1; Zimbabwe index = 3.6 GDP per capita log = 7.7.

1. The scale is in natural logarithm, while the GDP per capita is in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP) adjusted to constant 2017 international dollars. 2. Excludes the Middle East region.

Helliwell, J. F., Layard, R., Sachs, J. D., De Neve, J.-E., Aknin, L. B., & Wang, S. Eds. 2024, World Happiness Report 2024, accessed April 2024; Austrade.

More about quality of life

Chapter 5 in the Benchmark Report provides further data and insights into Australia's quality of life.

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