Rich are richer, more of us are fat but still we're better off

An annual assessment of social measures shows we are getting fatter and the gap between rich and poor is growing.

Obesity and income inequality have both worsened, according to the latest Social Report, released yesterday by the Ministry of Social Development.

But the report shows that overall measures of social progress are improving, with 16 of the 42 indicators used showing gains since the mid-1990s.

The report had new data on 25 of the indicators.

Indicators are grouped into 10 themes including health, knowledge and skills, paid work, economic standard of living, cultural identity, leisure and recreation, safety and social connectedness.

Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey welcomed the findings saying it was evidence of solid progress on social issues.

But he said further investment was needed in core areas like health, education and family assistance if New Zealand was to continue on a strong growth path.

He said the progress could not have been made without big increases in health and education spending, or policies to help more people into jobs.

Last month Mr Maharey released early a ministry analysis of poverty included in the report showing the proportion of people living in families below the poverty line fell from 22 per cent in 2001 to 19 per cent in 2004.

On obesity, the report said 21 per cent of adults aged 15 and over were obese in 2003, compared to 17 per cent in 1997.

The report's project leader, Conal Smith, said eating patterns were contributing to obesity.

"We know that calories are cheaper; our eating patterns have more high calories, high energy, high-fat food than they did in the past ... and also possibly more sedentary lifestyles."

He said voter turnout was falling and the trend dated back to the 1960s in New Zealand. Voter turnout was also falling in other OECD countries.

On income inequality, the report said the ratio of high household income to low household income had risen slightly since 2001, meaning the gap in income had increased.

Adjusting for inflation, tax and household size, households with incomes ranked 20th from the top in percentage terms earned 2.8 times more income than households ranked 20th from the bottom.

Ministry deputy chief executive of social development policy and knowledge, Marcel Lauziere, said New Zealanders continued to be better off financially, healthier and better educated.

The report's four key aims are to monitor wellbeing and quality of life measures, assess how New Zealand compares with other countries, provide greater transparency in Government and contribute to better-informed public debate, and help identify issues for action.

2005 SOCIAL REPORT

Worsening indicators

* Obesity
* Income inequality

Improving indicators

* Unemployment
* Median hourly earnings
* Population with low incomes
* Suicide rate
* Adult educational attainment
* Tertiary education participation
* Child deaths from intentional injury
* Road deaths

Unchanged indicators

* Cigarette smoking
* Work injury claims
* Perceived corruption
* Local content on TV
* Air and drinking water quality

Source: Ministry of Social Development