Australian Economics

GDP: $1.542 trillion (2012 est.)
GDP per Capita: $67,304 (nominal; 2012)
Life expectancy: 81.2 years
Poverty Rate: 11.8% (2013)
Literacy Rate: 99% (2003)
Unemployment rate: 6.0 % (Feb 2014)
Inflation: 1.8% (2012 est.)

Natural resources:
Australia has a wide variety of natural resources, including minerals and agricultural products.  Wheat and wool are the largest agricultural products. Mined products, such as iron ore, coal, metals, and gold make up the majority of the industrial resources.  Australia's seasonal climate provides rich opportunities for agriculture.  There is a variety of rainfall amounts spread from between 3 and 10 inches in the desert, to 157 inches along the coast.  In total, Australia has the least rainfall of any populated continent.  Typical growing season lasts from April to November.  Rivers span the coastal areas and most of Eastern Australia.

Labor:
There are an estimated 12.15 million people in the labor force, with the largest portion in the services (75%), and industry and agriculture making up the other large portions (21.1% and 3.6%, respectively).  The main industries are mining, industrial equipment, food processing, chemicals, and steel.  Australia's education system is among the best in the world, consistently ranking well in comparative studies.  Literacy is high, and access to tertiary education is widespread, though residents of rural Australia are less likely to attend compared to people in the populated areas.


Capital:
Australia has a high degree of technology and infrastructure.  There is a system of highways and roads.  In all, the western technology and infrastructure are found in Australia.