SGS Self-Funded Research Project
An annual deep dive into the wellbeing of Australia's cities and regions looking beyond GDP.
For over ten years, SGS has reported on the state of the economy and the economic performance of Australia's cities and regions. The SGS Cities and Regions Wellbeing Index (CRWI) is a continuation of this work and a first-of-its-kind report that considers how place impacts community wellbeing.
The link between physical and mental health and the local economy is often overlooked in traditional economic assessments. Where people live greatly affects their wellbeing and overall quality of life. Despite Gross Domestic Product (GDP) being widely used, it doesn't fully capture the complexities of wellbeing.
The CRWI addresses this gap by examining socio-economic wellbeing on a local government area level. It presents GDP broken down into economic activity in the local regions, Gross Regional Product (GRP), alongside six other wellbeing dimensions–income and wealth, employment knowledge and skills, housing, health, equality and community, and the environment–to create a more nuanced understanding of how place shapes people’s lives.
From 2024, the Index will align with the national Census cycle, allowing SGS to track long-term wellbeing trends and strengthen the evidence base for policy and investment. Between Census years, we'll release interim reports with updated annual indicators to keep wellbeing in the conversation and keep insights relevant for policymakers and communities.
This research project is self-funded by SGS Economics and Planning and managed by Michelle Tjondro and Yuan Deng.
