Annual Macroeconomic Snapshot • 1980s
The Australian Economy in 1980
In 1980, Australia’s Estimated Resident Population stood at 14,807,370, real GDP growth averaged 2.9%, annual CPI inflation averaged 10.2% and the unemployment rate averaged 6.1%.
- • The RBA overnight/target cash rate ended 1980 at 10.88%, while 10-year Australian Government bond yields averaged 11.65%.
- • The Australian Dollar averaged US$1.1386 against the US Dollar during 1980.
1980 Economic Indicators at a Glance
% p.a.
Rank #8 of 104 yrs
Inflation (CPI) in 1980
10.2% Long-run avg: 4.0%
+1.2 pp %
Rank #24 of 77 yrs
Unemployment Rate in 1980
6.1% Long-run avg: 4.8%
-0.2 pp % p.a.
Rank #42 of 77 yrs
Real GDP Growth in 1980
2.9% Long-run avg: 3.4%
-1.2 pp Persons
Rank #47 of 126 yrs
Population in 1980
14.81M Long-run avg: 12,689,752
+204,889 % p.a.
Rank #76 of 125 yrs
Population Growth in 1980
1.40% Long-run avg: 1.61%
+0.21 pp % p.a.
Rank #11 of 78 yrs
10-Year Bond Yield in 1980
11.65% Long-run avg: 6.63%
+1.90 pp % p.a.
Rank #10 of 51 yrs
RBA Cash Rate in 1980
10.88% Long-run avg: 6.48%
+1.38 pp US$ per A$1
Rank #8 of 67 yrs
AUD/USD Exchange Rate in 1980
US$1.1386 Long-run avg: US$0.8921
+0.0208 % of disposable income
Rank #10 of 68 yrs
Household Saving Ratio in 1980
15.2% Long-run avg: 9.0%
-0.4 pp % of GDP
Rank #33 of 68 yrs
Trade Balance (% GDP) in 1980
-0.7% Long-run avg: -0.5%
-0.9 pp '000 dwellings / month
Rank #36 of 62 yrs
Dwelling Approvals in 1980
142.7k Long-run avg: 152.7
+17.0 % p.a.
Wage Growth (WPI) in 1980
N/A Series commenced later
1980 in Context: Preceding & Following Years (1975–1985)
10-year window around 1980 showing how key indicators evolved before and after