Annual Macroeconomic Snapshot • 1980s
The Australian Economy in 1986
In 1986, Australia’s Estimated Resident Population stood at 16,138,769, real GDP growth averaged 2.1%, annual CPI inflation averaged 9.1% and the unemployment rate averaged 8.1%.
- • The RBA overnight/target cash rate ended 1986 at 15.50%, while 10-year Australian Government bond yields averaged 13.42%.
- • The Australian Dollar averaged US$0.6685 against the US Dollar during 1986.
1986 Economic Indicators at a Glance
% p.a.
Rank #12 of 104 yrs
Inflation (CPI) in 1986
9.1% Long-run avg: 4.0%
+2.4 pp %
Rank #11 of 77 yrs
Unemployment Rate in 1986
8.1% Long-run avg: 4.8%
-0.2 pp % p.a.
Rank #59 of 77 yrs
Real GDP Growth in 1986
2.1% Long-run avg: 3.4%
-2.9 pp Persons
Rank #41 of 126 yrs
Population in 1986
16.14M Long-run avg: 12,689,752
+238,203 % p.a.
Rank #65 of 125 yrs
Population Growth in 1986
1.50% Long-run avg: 1.61%
+0.08 pp % p.a.
Rank #6 of 78 yrs
10-Year Bond Yield in 1986
13.42% Long-run avg: 6.63%
-0.53 pp % p.a.
Rank #4 of 51 yrs
RBA Cash Rate in 1986
15.50% Long-run avg: 6.48%
-3.89 pp US$ per A$1
Rank #58 of 67 yrs
AUD/USD Exchange Rate in 1986
US$0.6685 Long-run avg: US$0.8921
-0.0299 % of disposable income
Rank #30 of 68 yrs
Household Saving Ratio in 1986
10.8% Long-run avg: 9.0%
-1.7 pp % of GDP
Rank #61 of 68 yrs
Trade Balance (% GDP) in 1986
-2.5% Long-run avg: -0.5%
-0.1 pp '000 dwellings / month
Rank #57 of 62 yrs
Dwelling Approvals in 1986
112.7k Long-run avg: 152.7
-29.8 % p.a.
Wage Growth (WPI) in 1986
N/A Series commenced later
1986 in Context: Preceding & Following Years (1981–1991)
10-year window around 1986 showing how key indicators evolved before and after