{
  "Introduction": {
    "Background": {
      "text": "Prehistoric settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia at least 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession of the east coast in the name of Great Britain (all of Australia was claimed as British territory in 1829 with the creation of the colony of Western Australia). Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the Allied effort in World Wars I and II. ++ In recent decades, Australia has become an internationally competitive, advanced market economy due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s and its location in one of the fastest growing regions of the world economy. Long-term concerns include an aging population, pressure on infrastructure, and environmental issues such as floods, droughts, and bushfires. Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth, making it particularly vulnerable to the challenges of climate change. Australia is home to 10 per cent of the world's biodiversity, and a great number of its flora and fauna exist nowhere else in the world."
    }
  },
  "Geography": {
    "Location": {
      "text": "Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean"
    },
    "Geographic coordinates": {
      "text": "27 00 S, 133 00 E"
    },
    "Map references": {
      "text": "Oceania"
    },
    "Area": {
      "total": {
        "text": "7,741,220 sq km"
      },
      "land": {
        "text": "7,682,300 sq km"
      },
      "water": {
        "text": "58,920 sq km"
      },
      "note": {
        "text": "includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island"
      }
    },
    "Area - comparative": {
      "text": "slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states"
    },
    "Land boundaries": {
      "text": "0 km"
    },
    "Coastline": {
      "text": "25,760 km"
    },
    "Maritime claims": {
      "territorial sea": {
        "text": "12 nm"
      },
      "contiguous zone": {
        "text": "24 nm"
      },
      "exclusive economic zone": {
        "text": "200 nm"
      },
      "continental shelf": {
        "text": "200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin"
      }
    },
    "Climate": {
      "text": "generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north"
    },
    "Terrain": {
      "text": "mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast"
    },
    "Elevation": {
      "mean elevation": {
        "text": "330 m"
      },
      "elevation extremes": {
        "text": "lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m ++ highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m"
      }
    },
    "Natural resources": {
      "text": "bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, rare earth elements, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum",
      "note": {
        "text": "Australia is the world's largest net exporter of coal accounting for 29% of global coal exports"
      }
    },
    "Land use": {
      "agricultural land": {
        "text": "53.4% ++ arable land 6.2%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 47.1%"
      },
      "forest": {
        "text": "19.3%"
      },
      "other": {
        "text": "27.3% (2011 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Irrigated land": {
      "text": "25,500 sq km (2012)"
    },
    "Natural hazards": {
      "text": "cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires",
      "volcanism": {
        "text": "volcanic activity on Heard and McDonald Islands"
      }
    },
    "Environment - current issues": {
      "text": "soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural freshwater resources"
    },
    "Environment - international agreements": {
      "party to": {
        "text": "Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling"
      },
      "signed, but not ratified": {
        "text": "none of the selected agreements"
      }
    },
    "Geography - note": {
      "text": "world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; the largest country in Oceania, the largest country entirely in the Southern Hemisphere, and the largest country without land borders; the only continent without glaciers; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; the invigorating sea breeze known as the \"Fremantle Doctor\" affects the city of Perth on the west coast and is one of the most consistent winds in the world"
    }
  },
  "People and Society": {
    "Population": {
      "text": "22,992,654 (July 2016 est.)"
    },
    "Nationality": {
      "noun": {
        "text": "Australian(s)"
      },
      "adjective": {
        "text": "Australian"
      }
    },
    "Ethnic groups": {
      "text": "English 25.9%, Australian 25.4%, Irish 7.5%, Scottish 6.4%, Italian 3.3%, German 3.2%, Chinese 3.1%, Indian 1.4%, Greek 1.4%, Dutch 1.2%, other 15.8% (includes Australian aboriginal .5%), unspecified 5.4%",
      "note": {
        "text": "data represents self-identified ancestry, over a third of respondents reported two ancestries (2011 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Languages": {
      "text": "English 76.8%, Mandarin 1.6%, Italian 1.4%, Arabic 1.3%, Greek 1.2%, Cantonese 1.2%, Vietnamese 1.1%, other 10.4%, unspecified 5% (2011 est.)"
    },
    "Religions": {
      "text": "Protestant 30.1% (Anglican 17.1%, Uniting Church 5.0%, Presbyterian and Reformed 2.8%, Baptist, 1.6%, Lutheran 1.2%, Pentecostal 1.1%, other Protestant 1.3%), Catholic 25.3% (Roman Catholic 25.1%, other Catholic 0.2%), other Christian 2.9%, Orthodox 2.8%, Buddhist 2.5%, Muslim 2.2%, Hindu 1.3%, other 1.3%, none 22.3%, unspecified 9.3% (2011 est.)"
    },
    "Age structure": {
      "0-14 years": {
        "text": "17.84% (male 2,105,433/female 1,997,433)"
      },
      "15-24 years": {
        "text": "12.96% (male 1,528,993/female 1,451,340)"
      },
      "25-54 years": {
        "text": "41.55% (male 4,862,591/female 4,691,975)"
      },
      "55-64 years": {
        "text": "11.82% (male 1,347,780/female 1,369,501)"
      },
      "65 years and over": {
        "text": "15.82% (male 1,684,339/female 1,953,269) (2016 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Dependency ratios": {
      "total dependency ratio": {
        "text": "50.9%"
      },
      "youth dependency ratio": {
        "text": "28.2%"
      },
      "elderly dependency ratio": {
        "text": "22.7%"
      },
      "potential support ratio": {
        "text": "4.4% (2015 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Median age": {
      "total": {
        "text": "38.6 years"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "37.8 years"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "39.4 years (2016 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Population growth rate": {
      "text": "1.05% (2016 est.)"
    },
    "Birth rate": {
      "text": "12.1 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)"
    },
    "Death rate": {
      "text": "7.2 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)"
    },
    "Net migration rate": {
      "text": "5.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)"
    },
    "Urbanization": {
      "urban population": {
        "text": "89.4% of total population (2015)"
      },
      "rate of urbanization": {
        "text": "1.47% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Major urban areas - population": {
      "text": "Sydney 4.505 million; Melbourne 4.203 million; Brisbane 2.202 million; Perth 1.861 million; Adelaide 1.256 million; CANBERRA (capital) 423,000 (2015)"
    },
    "Sex ratio": {
      "at birth": {
        "text": "1.06 male(s)/female"
      },
      "0-14 years": {
        "text": "1.05 male(s)/female"
      },
      "15-24 years": {
        "text": "1.05 male(s)/female"
      },
      "25-54 years": {
        "text": "1.04 male(s)/female"
      },
      "55-64 years": {
        "text": "0.98 male(s)/female"
      },
      "65 years and over": {
        "text": "0.86 male(s)/female"
      },
      "total population": {
        "text": "1.01 male(s)/female (2016 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Mother's mean age at first birth": {
      "text": "30.5 (2006 est.)"
    },
    "Maternal mortality rate": {
      "text": "6 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)"
    },
    "Infant mortality rate": {
      "total": {
        "text": "4.3 deaths/1,000 live births"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "4.6 deaths/1,000 live births"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "4 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Life expectancy at birth": {
      "total population": {
        "text": "82.2 years"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "79.8 years"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "84.8 years (2016 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Total fertility rate": {
      "text": "1.77 children born/woman (2016 est.)"
    },
    "Contraceptive prevalence rate": {
      "text": "72.3%",
      "note": {
        "text": "percent of women aged 18-44 (2005)"
      }
    },
    "Health expenditures": {
      "text": "9.4% of GDP (2014)"
    },
    "Physicians density": {
      "text": "3.27 physicians/1,000 population (2011)"
    },
    "Hospital bed density": {
      "text": "3.9 beds/1,000 population (2010)"
    },
    "Drinking water source": {
      "improved": {
        "text": " ++ urban: 100% of population ++ rural: 100% of population ++ total: 100% of population"
      },
      "unimproved": {
        "text": " ++ urban: 0% of population ++ rural: 0% of population ++ total: 0% of population (2015 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Sanitation facility access": {
      "improved": {
        "text": " ++ urban: 100% of population ++ rural: 100% of population ++ total: 100% of population"
      },
      "unimproved": {
        "text": " ++ urban: 0% of population ++ rural: 0% of population ++ total: 0% of population (2015 est.)"
      }
    },
    "HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate": {
      "text": "0.16% (2015 est.)"
    },
    "HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS": {
      "text": "26,900 (2015 est.)"
    },
    "HIV/AIDS - deaths": {
      "text": "200 (2015 est.)"
    },
    "Obesity - adult prevalence rate": {
      "text": "29.9% (2014)"
    },
    "Children under the age of 5 years underweight": {
      "text": "0.2% (2007)"
    },
    "Education expenditures": {
      "text": "5.3% of GDP (2013)"
    },
    "School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)": {
      "total": {
        "text": "20 years"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "20 years"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "21 years (2013)"
      }
    },
    "Unemployment, youth ages 15-24": {
      "total": {
        "text": "13.3%"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "14.1%"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "12.5% (2014 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Government": {
    "Country name": {
      "conventional long form": {
        "text": "Commonwealth of Australia"
      },
      "conventional short form": {
        "text": "Australia"
      },
      "etymology": {
        "text": "the name Australia derives from the Latin \"australis\" meaning \"southern\"; the Australian landmass was long referred to as \"Terra Australis\" or the Southern Land"
      }
    },
    "Government type": {
      "text": "parliamentary democracy (Federal Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm"
    },
    "Capital": {
      "name": {
        "text": "Canberra"
      },
      "geographic coordinates": {
        "text": "35 16 S, 149 08 E"
      },
      "time difference": {
        "text": "UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)"
      },
      "daylight saving time": {
        "text": "+1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends first Sunday in April"
      },
      "note": {
        "text": "Australia has three time zones"
      }
    },
    "Administrative divisions": {
      "text": "6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia"
    },
    "Dependent areas": {
      "text": "Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island"
    },
    "Independence": {
      "text": "1 January 1901 (from the federation of UK colonies)"
    },
    "National holiday": {
      "text": "Australia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day (commemorates the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915)"
    },
    "Constitution": {
      "text": "9 July 1900; effective 1 January 1901; amended several times, last in 1977; note - a referendum to amend the constitution to reflect the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Act 2013 is planned for early 2017 (2016)"
    },
    "Legal system": {
      "text": "common law system based on the English model"
    },
    "International law organization participation": {
      "text": "accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction"
    },
    "Citizenship": {
      "citizenship by birth": {
        "text": "no"
      },
      "citizenship by descent only": {
        "text": "at least one parent must be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia"
      },
      "dual citizenship recognized": {
        "text": "yes"
      },
      "residency requirement for naturalization": {
        "text": "4 years"
      }
    },
    "Suffrage": {
      "text": "18 years of age; universal and compulsory"
    },
    "Executive branch": {
      "chief of state": {
        "text": "Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Peter COSGROVE (since 28 March 2014)"
      },
      "head of government": {
        "text": "Prime Minister Malcolm TURNBULL (since 15 September 2015); Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby JOYCE (since 18 February 2016)"
      },
      "cabinet": {
        "text": "Cabinet nominated by the prime minister from among members of Parliament and sworn in by the governor general"
      },
      "elections/appointments": {
        "text": "the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general"
      }
    },
    "Legislative branch": {
      "description": {
        "text": "bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats; 12 members from each of the 6 states and 2 each from the 2 mainland territories; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of state membership renewed every 3 years and territory membership renewed every 3 years) and the House of Representatives (150 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by majority preferential vote; members serve terms of up to 3 years)"
      },
      "elections": {
        "text": "Senate - last held on 2 July 2016; House of Representatives - last held on 2 July 2016; this election represents a rare double dissolution where all 226 seats in both the Senate and House of Representatives are up for reelection"
      },
      "election results": {
        "text": "Senate - percent of vote by party NA - awaiting final results; seats by party NA - awaiting final results; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party Liberal/National Coalition 42.14%, ALP 34.91%, The Greens 9.93%, Katter's Australian Party 0.55%, Nick Xenophon Team 1.86%, independents 2.85%; seats by party Liberal/National Coalition 77, ALP 68, The Greens 1, Katter's Australian Party 1, Nick Xenophon Team 1, independents 2"
      }
    },
    "Judicial branch": {
      "highest court(s)": {
        "text": "High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice); note - each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court; the High Court is the final appellate court beyond the state and territory supreme courts"
      },
      "judge selection and term of office": {
        "text": "justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70"
      },
      "subordinate courts": {
        "text": "subordinate courts: subordinate courts at the federal level: Federal Court; Federal Magistrates' Courts of Australia; Family Court; subordinate courts at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales; Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory; District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia; County Court – Victoria; Family Court – Western Australia; Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island"
      }
    },
    "Political parties and leaders": {
      "text": "Australian Greens Party [Richard DI NATALE] ++ Australian Labor Party [Bill SHORTEN] ++ Country Liberal Party or CLP [Gary HIGGINS] ++ Family First Party [Bob DAY] ++ Katter's Australian Party [Bob KATTER] ++ Liberal National Party of Queensland or LNP [Timothy NICHOLLS] ++ Liberal Party [Malcolm TURNBULL] ++ National Party of Australia [Barnaby JOYCE] ++ Palmer United Party or PUP [Clive PALMER]"
    },
    "Political pressure groups and leaders": {
      "other": {
        "text": "business groups, environmental groups, social groups, trade unions"
      }
    },
    "International organization participation": {
      "text": "ADB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CP, EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF, SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC"
    },
    "Diplomatic representation in the US": {
      "chief of mission": {
        "text": "Ambassador Joseph Benedict HOCKEY (since 28 January 2016)"
      },
      "chancery": {
        "text": "1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036"
      },
      "telephone": {
        "text": "[1] (202) 797-3000"
      },
      "FAX": {
        "text": "[1] (202) 797-3168"
      },
      "consulate(s) general": {
        "text": "Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco"
      }
    },
    "Diplomatic representation from the US": {
      "chief of mission": {
        "text": "Ambassador Morrell John BERRY (since 25 September 2013)"
      },
      "embassy": {
        "text": "Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600"
      },
      "mailing address": {
        "text": "APO AP 96549"
      },
      "telephone": {
        "text": "[61] (02) 6214-5600"
      },
      "FAX": {
        "text": "[61] (02) 6214-5970"
      },
      "consulate(s) general": {
        "text": "Melbourne, Perth, Sydney"
      }
    },
    "Flag description": {
      "text": "blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth or Federation Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; on the fly half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small, five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars"
    },
    "National symbol(s)": {
      "text": "Southern Cross constellation (composed of five stars: four large seven-pointed stars, one small five-pointed star), kangaroo, emu; national colors: green, gold"
    },
    "National anthem": {
      "name": {
        "text": "\"Advance Australia Fair\""
      },
      "lyrics/music": {
        "text": "Peter Dodds McCORMICK"
      },
      "note": {
        "text": "adopted 1984; although originally written in the late 19th century, the anthem was not used for all official occasions until 1984; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, \"God Save the Queen\" is also played at Royal functions (see United Kingdom)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Economy": {
    "Economy - overview": {
      "text": "Following two decades of continuous growth, low unemployment, contained inflation, very low public debt, and a strong and stable financial system, Australia enters 2016 facing a range of growth constraints, principally driven by a sharp fall in global prices of key export commodities. Demand for resources and energy from Asia and especially China has stalled and sharp drops in current prices have impacted growth. ++  ++ The services sector is the largest part of the Australian economy, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of jobs. Australia was comparatively unaffected by the global financial crisis as the banking system has remained strong and inflation is under control. ++  ++ Australia benefited from a dramatic surge in its terms of trade in recent years, although this trend has reversed due to falling global commodity prices. Australia is a significant exporter of natural resources, energy, and food. Australia's abundant and diverse natural resources attract high levels of foreign investment and include extensive reserves of coal, iron, copper, gold, natural gas, uranium, and renewable energy sources. A series of major investments, such as the US$40 billion Gorgon Liquid Natural Gas project, will significantly expand the resources sector. ++  ++ Australia is an open market with minimal restrictions on imports of goods and services. The process of opening up has increased productivity, stimulated growth, and made the economy more flexible and dynamic. Australia plays an active role in the World Trade Organization, APEC, the G20, and other trade forums. Australia’s free trade agreement (FTA) with China entered into force in 2015, adding to existing FTAs with the Republic of Korea, Japan, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and the US, and a regional FTA with ASEAN and New Zealand. Australia continues to negotiate bilateral agreements with India and Indonesia, as well as larger agreements with its Pacific neighbors and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and an Asia-wide Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership that includes the ten ASEAN countries and China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and India. Australia is also working on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement with Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US, and Vietnam."
    },
    "GDP (purchasing power parity)": {
      "text": "$1.189 trillion (2016 est.) ++ $1.156 trillion (2015 est.) ++ $1.128 trillion (2014 est.)",
      "note": {
        "text": "data are in 2016 dollars"
      }
    },
    "GDP (official exchange rate)": {
      "text": "$1.257 trillion (2015 est.)"
    },
    "GDP - real growth rate": {
      "text": "2.9% (2016 est.) ++ 2.4% (2015 est.) ++ 2.7% (2014 est.)"
    },
    "GDP - per capita (PPP)": {
      "text": "$48,800 (2016 est.) ++ $48,300 (2015 est.) ++ $47,800 (2014 est.)",
      "note": {
        "text": "data are in 2016 dollars"
      }
    },
    "Gross national saving": {
      "text": "21.7% of GDP (2016 est.) ++ 22.1% of GDP (2015 est.) ++ 23.7% of GDP (2014 est.)"
    },
    "GDP - composition, by end use": {
      "household consumption": {
        "text": "58.5%"
      },
      "government consumption": {
        "text": "18.7%"
      },
      "investment in fixed capital": {
        "text": "24.3%"
      },
      "investment in inventories": {
        "text": "0%"
      },
      "exports of goods and services": {
        "text": "19.4%"
      },
      "imports of goods and services": {
        "text": "-20.9% (2016 est.)"
      }
    },
    "GDP - composition, by sector of origin": {
      "agriculture": {
        "text": "3.6%"
      },
      "industry": {
        "text": "28.2%"
      },
      "services": {
        "text": "68.2% (2016 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Agriculture - products": {
      "text": "wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry"
    },
    "Industries": {
      "text": "mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel"
    },
    "Industrial production growth rate": {
      "text": "2% (2016 est.)"
    },
    "Labor force": {
      "text": "12.63 million (2016 est.)"
    },
    "Labor force - by occupation": {
      "agriculture": {
        "text": "3.6%"
      },
      "industry": {
        "text": "21.1%"
      },
      "services": {
        "text": "75.3% (2009 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Unemployment rate": {
      "text": "5.8% (2016 est.) ++ 6.1% (2015 est.)"
    },
    "Population below poverty line": {
      "text": "NA%"
    },
    "Household income or consumption by percentage share": {
      "lowest 10%": {
        "text": "2%"
      },
      "highest 10%": {
        "text": "25.4% (1994)"
      }
    },
    "Distribution of family income - Gini index": {
      "text": "30.3 (2008) ++ 35.2 (1994)"
    },
    "Budget": {
      "revenues": {
        "text": "$420.5 billion"
      },
      "expenditures": {
        "text": "$446.4 billion (2016 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Taxes and other revenues": {
      "text": "33.5% of GDP (2016 est.)"
    },
    "Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)": {
      "text": "-2.1% of GDP (2016 est.)"
    },
    "Public debt": {
      "text": "46.1% of GDP (2016 est.) ++ 44.2% of GDP (2015 est.)"
    },
    "Fiscal year": {
      "text": "1 July - 30 June"
    },
    "Inflation rate (consumer prices)": {
      "text": "1.4% (2016 est.) ++ 1.5% (2015 est.)"
    },
    "Central bank discount rate": {
      "text": "3% (28 February 2013) ++ 4.35% (31 December 2010)",
      "note": {
        "text": "this is the Reserve Bank of Australia's \"cash rate target,\" or policy rate"
      }
    },
    "Commercial bank prime lending rate": {
      "text": "5.1% (31 December 2016 est.) ++ 5.58% (31 December 2015 est.)"
    },
    "Stock of narrow money": {
      "text": "$245.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) ++ $223.2 billion (31 December 2015 est.)"
    },
    "Stock of broad money": {
      "text": "$1.661 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) ++ $1.648 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)"
    },
    "Stock of domestic credit": {
      "text": "$2.158 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) ++ $1.986 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)"
    },
    "Market value of publicly traded shares": {
      "text": "$1.187 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) ++ $1.289 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) ++ $1.366 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)"
    },
    "Current account balance": {
      "text": "-$43.85 billion (2016 est.) ++ -$57.98 billion (2015 est.)"
    },
    "Exports": {
      "text": "$184.3 billion (2016 est.) ++ $188.3 billion (2015 est.)"
    },
    "Exports - commodities": {
      "text": "coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment"
    },
    "Exports - partners": {
      "text": "China 32.2%, Japan 15.9%, South Korea 7.1%, US 5.4%, India 4.2% (2015)"
    },
    "Imports": {
      "text": "$203.1 billion (2016 est.) ++ $207.7 billion (2015 est.)"
    },
    "Imports - commodities": {
      "text": "machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products"
    },
    "Imports - partners": {
      "text": "China 23%, US 11.2%, Japan 7.4%, South Korea 5.5%, Thailand 5.1%, Germany 4.6% (2015)"
    },
    "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold": {
      "text": "$54.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) ++ $49.27 billion (31 December 2015 est.)"
    },
    "Debt - external": {
      "text": "$1.692 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) ++ $1.524 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)"
    },
    "Stock of direct foreign investment - at home": {
      "text": "$614.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.) ++ $582.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.)"
    },
    "Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad": {
      "text": "$441.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.) ++ $437.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.)"
    },
    "Exchange rates": {
      "text": "Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - ++ 1.352 (2016 est.) ++ 1.3291 (2015 est.) ++ 1.3291 (2014 est.) ++ 1.1094 (2013 est.) ++ 0.97 (2012 est.)"
    }
  },
  "Energy": {
    "Electricity - production": {
      "text": "235 billion kWh (2014 est.)"
    },
    "Electricity - consumption": {
      "text": "224 billion kWh (2014 est.)"
    },
    "Electricity - exports": {
      "text": "0 kWh (2013 est.)"
    },
    "Electricity - imports": {
      "text": "0 kWh (2013 est.)"
    },
    "Electricity - installed generating capacity": {
      "text": "67 million kW (2014 est.)"
    },
    "Electricity - from fossil fuels": {
      "text": "78.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)"
    },
    "Electricity - from nuclear fuels": {
      "text": "0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)"
    },
    "Electricity - from hydroelectric plants": {
      "text": "12.7% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)"
    },
    "Electricity - from other renewable sources": {
      "text": "7.6% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)"
    },
    "Crude oil - production": {
      "text": "322,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)"
    },
    "Crude oil - exports": {
      "text": "248,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)"
    },
    "Crude oil - imports": {
      "text": "332,800 bbl/day (2015 est.)"
    },
    "Crude oil - proved reserves": {
      "text": "1.2 billion bbl (1 January 2016 es)"
    },
    "Refined petroleum products - production": {
      "text": "481,800 bbl/day (2015 est.)"
    },
    "Refined petroleum products - consumption": {
      "text": "1.116 million bbl/day (2015 est.)"
    },
    "Refined petroleum products - exports": {
      "text": "42,730 bbl/day (2015 est.)"
    },
    "Refined petroleum products - imports": {
      "text": "546,700 bbl/day (2015 est.)"
    },
    "Natural gas - production": {
      "text": "62.64 billion cu m (2014 est.)"
    },
    "Natural gas - consumption": {
      "text": "38.51 billion cu m (2014 est.)"
    },
    "Natural gas - exports": {
      "text": "31.61 billion cu m (2014 est.)"
    },
    "Natural gas - imports": {
      "text": "6.938 billion cu m (2014 est.)"
    },
    "Natural gas - proved reserves": {
      "text": "860.8 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)"
    },
    "Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy": {
      "text": "385 million Mt (2013 est.)"
    }
  },
  "Communications": {
    "Telephones - fixed lines": {
      "total subscriptions": {
        "text": "9.08 million"
      },
      "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": {
        "text": "40 (July 2015 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Telephones - mobile cellular": {
      "total": {
        "text": "31.77 million"
      },
      "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": {
        "text": "140 (July 2015 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Telephone system": {
      "general assessment": {
        "text": "excellent domestic and international service"
      },
      "domestic": {
        "text": "domestic satellite system; significant use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile telephones"
      },
      "international": {
        "text": "country code - 61; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Southern Cross fiber-optic submarine cable provides links to NZ and the US; satellite earth stations - 10 (2015)"
      }
    },
    "Broadcast media": {
      "text": "the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) runs multiple national and local radio networks and TV stations, as well as Australia Network, a TV service that broadcasts throughout the Asia-Pacific region and is the main public broadcaster; Special Broadc (2008)"
    },
    "Internet country code": {
      "text": ".au"
    },
    "Internet users": {
      "total": {
        "text": "19.238 million"
      },
      "percent of population": {
        "text": "84.6% (July 2015 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Transportation": {
    "National air transport system": {
      "number of registered air carriers": {
        "text": "11"
      },
      "inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers": {
        "text": "175"
      },
      "annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers": {
        "text": "69,294,187"
      },
      "annual freight traffic on registered air carriers": {
        "text": "1,887,295,820 mt-km (2015)"
      }
    },
    "Civil aircraft registration country code prefix": {
      "text": "VH (2016)"
    },
    "Airports": {
      "text": "480 (2013)"
    },
    "Airports - with paved runways": {
      "total": {
        "text": "349"
      },
      "over 3,047 m": {
        "text": "11"
      },
      "2,438 to 3,047 m": {
        "text": "14"
      },
      "1,524 to 2,437 m": {
        "text": "155"
      },
      "914 to 1,523 m": {
        "text": "155"
      },
      "under 914 m": {
        "text": "14 (2013)"
      }
    },
    "Airports - with unpaved runways": {
      "total": {
        "text": "131"
      },
      "1,524 to 2,437 m": {
        "text": "16"
      },
      "914 to 1,523 m": {
        "text": "101"
      },
      "under 914 m": {
        "text": "14 (2013)"
      }
    },
    "Heliports": {
      "text": "1 (2013)"
    },
    "Pipelines": {
      "text": "condensate/gas 637 km; gas 30,054 km; liquid petroleum gas 240 km; oil 3,609 km; oil/gas/water 110 km; refined products 72 km (2013)"
    },
    "Railways": {
      "total": {
        "text": "36,967.5 km"
      },
      "broad gauge": {
        "text": "3,727 km 1.600-m gauge (372 km electrified)"
      },
      "standard gauge": {
        "text": "18,727 km 1.435-m gauge (650 km electrified)"
      },
      "narrow gauge": {
        "text": "14,513.5 km 1.067-m gauge (2,075.5 km electrified) (2014)"
      }
    },
    "Roadways": {
      "total": {
        "text": "823,217 km"
      },
      "paved": {
        "text": "356,343 km"
      },
      "unpaved": {
        "text": "466,874 km (2011)"
      }
    },
    "Waterways": {
      "text": "2,000 km (mainly used for recreation on Murray and Murray-Darling river systems) (2011)"
    },
    "Merchant marine": {
      "total": {
        "text": "41"
      },
      "by type": {
        "text": "bulk carrier 8, cargo 7, liquefied gas 4, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 5"
      },
      "foreign-owned": {
        "text": "17 (Canada 5, Germany 2, Singapore 2, South Africa 1, UK 5, US 2)"
      },
      "registered in other countries": {
        "text": "25 (Bahamas 1, Dominica 1, Fiji 2, Liberia 1, Netherlands 1, Panama 4, Singapore 12, Tonga 1, UK 1, US 1) (2010)"
      }
    },
    "Ports and terminals": {
      "major seaport(s)": {
        "text": "Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Fremantle, Geelong, Gladstone, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Adelaide, Port Kembla, Sydney"
      },
      "dry bulk cargo port(s)": {
        "text": "Dampier (iron ore), Dalrymple Bay (coal), Hay Point (coal), Port Hedland (iron ore), Port Walcott (iron ore)"
      },
      "container port(s) (TEUs)": {
        "text": "Brisbane (1,004,983), Melbourne (2,467,967), Sydney (2,028,074)(2011)"
      },
      "LNG terminal(s) (export)": {
        "text": "Darwin, Karratha, Burrup, Curtis Island"
      }
    }
  },
  "Military and Security": {
    "Military branches": {
      "text": "Australian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy (includes Naval Aviation Force), Royal Australian Air Force, Joint Operations Command (JOC) (2013)"
    },
    "Military service age and obligation": {
      "text": "17 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription; women allowed to serve in most combat roles, except the Army special forces (2013)"
    },
    "Military expenditures": {
      "text": "1.71% of GDP (2012) ++ 1.84% of GDP (2011) ++ 1.71% of GDP (2010)"
    }
  },
  "Transnational Issues": {
    "Disputes - international": {
      "text": "In 2007, Australia and Timor-Leste agreed to a 50-year development zone and revenue sharing arrangement and deferred a maritime boundary; Australia asserts land and maritime claims to Antarctica; Australia's 2004 submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf extends its continental margins over 3.37 million square kilometers, expanding its seabed roughly 30 percent beyond its claimed EEZ; all borders between Indonesia and Australia have been agreed upon bilaterally, but a 1997 treaty that would settle the last of their maritime and EEZ boundary has yet to be ratified by Indonesia's legislature; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing"
    },
    "Refugees and internally displaced persons": {
      "refugees (country of origin)": {
        "text": "7,785 (Afghanistan); 5,201 (Iran) (2015)"
      }
    },
    "Illicit drugs": {
      "text": "Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate; major consumer of cocaine and amphetamines"
    }
  }
}