Annual Macroeconomic Snapshot • 1950s
The Australian Economy in 1959
In 1959, Australia’s Estimated Resident Population stood at 10,160,968, real GDP growth averaged 7.3%, annual CPI inflation averaged 1.9% and the unemployment rate averaged 1.7%.
- • The 10-year Commonwealth Government bond yield averaged 4.88% in 1959 (prior to the modern RBA Cash Rate Target series).
1959 Economic Indicators at a Glance
% p.a.
Rank #73 of 104 yrs
Inflation (CPI) in 1959
1.9% Long-run avg: 4.0%
+0.8 pp %
Rank #59 of 77 yrs
Unemployment Rate in 1959
1.7% Long-run avg: 4.8%
0.0 pp % p.a.
Rank #2 of 77 yrs
Real GDP Growth in 1959
7.3% Long-run avg: 3.4%
+5.2 pp Persons
Rank #68 of 126 yrs
Population in 1959
10.16M Long-run avg: 12,689,752
+213,610 % p.a.
Rank #21 of 125 yrs
Population Growth in 1959
2.15% Long-run avg: 1.61%
+0.06 pp % p.a.
Rank #52 of 78 yrs
10-Year Bond Yield in 1959
4.88% Long-run avg: 6.63%
0.00 pp % p.a.
RBA Cash Rate in 1959
N/A Series commenced later
US$ per A$1
AUD/USD Exchange Rate in 1959
N/A Series commenced later
% of disposable income
Rank #13 of 68 yrs
Household Saving Ratio in 1959
14.5% Long-run avg: 9.0%
% of GDP
Rank #27 of 68 yrs
Trade Balance (% GDP) in 1959
-0.4% Long-run avg: -0.5%
'000 dwellings / month
Dwelling Approvals in 1959
N/A Series commenced later
% p.a.
Wage Growth (WPI) in 1959
N/A Series commenced later
1959 in Context: Preceding & Following Years (1954–1964)
10-year window around 1959 showing how key indicators evolved before and after