GDP
Opinion
For subscribers
The economy’s just the means to an end. So, are we getting our money’s worth?
Our materialism puts us on a “hedonic treadmill”. We think buying a bit more stuff will make us happier and, at first, it does. But pretty soon the thrill wears off.
- by Ross Gittins
Latest
Australia’s fossil fuel giants set to take multibillion-dollar hit
Australia’s gas and coal exporters face a tricky next five years with prices expected to keep tumbling.
- by Nick Toscano
Analysis
Australian economy
How Australia’s economy is faring – in five charts
In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, the national accounts give us an insight into the performance of the economy. Here are five graphs to explain it all.
- by Shane Wright and Rachel Clun
Analysis
Defence
The big China gamble that could sink Marles’ navy overhaul
The navy’s $11 billion reboot is fine on paper - as long as we don’t need to go to war any time in the next decade.
- by Matthew Knott
Opinion
Global economy
The multitrillion-dollar dilemma facing the US
The soaring US economy and a surging Wall Street have created a problem for the world’s leading central bank.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
Inside China
China hits its growth target, but no one’s impressed
GDP growth last year met a target of “about 5 per cent” but the detail in Wednesday’s economic data highlights the deep-seated problems confronting China.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
Global economy
China’s relentless quest for growth is a toxic feedback loop of its own making
China’s economy is now so big that its $US900 billion annual goods surplus is destabilising world trade, like an elephant in a rowing boat.
- by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
Analysis
Australian economy
Can’t afford the sugar to coat these poor national accounts
Consumers have been flattened by taxes, inflation and the Reserve Bank.
- by Shane Wright
Higher interest rates, tax payments drive real incomes to record lows
The national economic figures show households were already struggling before the Reserve Bank board lifted interest rates in November.
- by Rachel Clun
Opinion
For subscribers
Why our standard of living will be rising more slowly
The likelihood is the economy will be growing more slowly from now on.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Opinion
We need economic growth to make us better off, right? Well, actually ...
Unending growth in the economy simply isn’t physically possible, and the more we keep growing the more we’ll damage the natural environment, to our great cost.
- by Ross Gittins