It’s freezing in winter, baking hot in summer and has more roundabouts than just about any city in Australia, but Canberrans seem to like it that way.
New research from the University of Canberra shows the citizens of the nation’s capital are happier than other city dwellers across Australia.
Lead researcher, Prof Jacki Schirmer, said: “Canberra is unique. The wellbeing is pretty high across the city. In Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, there are pockets of really high wellbeing, whereas in others it’s much lower.”
The researchers point to the city having the highest average income nationwide, some of the shortest commuting times, and good access to services and green spaces such as nature reserves.
However, not everyone in Canberra is equally enjoying its benefits.
Overall, the report shows a decline in liveability in the Canberra region, dropping from 94.7% in the 2020 survey to 87.8% in 2022. The decline was greatest among young people, carers, renters, people living in units and apartments, and new arrivals to the city. These groups were particularly hard hit by the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, where social isolation and economic pressures took their toll.
“The findings suggest that among these groups, the affects of Covid-19 on being able to socialise, study and work face to face, as well as participating in community events, has had a significant impact,” Schirmer said.
“People who are carers had a particularly large drop in what was already a lower than average level of wellbeing amongst this group, along with those living with a mental health disability.”
“This highlights a need to invest in supporting those groups whose wellbeing has been most affected over the last two years.”
Across the rest of the country, people in regional Australia are faring better than those among the urban sprawl, thanks to lower cost of living pressures and a sense of community spirit.
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While coastal communities might appear to be happiness-promoting because of their natural beauty and proximity to the beach, many inland farming communities rank higher.
Age is also a critical factor in higher reported levels of wellbeing in regional and rural Australia.
Older people tend to be happier and regional Australia generally has an older population than cities.
How people feel changes over their lifespan, generally hitting the lowest wellbeing points in their 30s and 40s – the era of competing responsibilities including work, taking care of children and often elderly parents.
Schirmer encapsulates this as the “sandwich generation”.
“You’re always really busy and don’t have time for yourself. Wellbeing usually bottoms out in your mid-40s, and as people approach their late 50s, it begins to go up again.”
People in their late 50s have often been able to pay off their mortgage and have less responsibility than they did in years prior.
Wellbeing levels only dip again when people approach their mid-70s due to frailty, inability to do some things they once enjoyed and general health complications.
But the wellbeing curve – traditionally a ‘U’ shape – could shift as Australia’s housing affordability crisis and cost of living pressures continue.
Where the baby boomer generation was able to retire by 65 or earlier, pay off their mortgage and have their children move out of home, it looks increasingly unlikely that many Australians will be able to follow this path.
In 2018 a team from Bond University produced The Happiness Project – data journalism research that highlighted the primary determinate for happiness was education levels, followed by health and wealth.
I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of urban well-being, supported by extensive knowledge in the field. Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article about Canberra's well-being based on research from the University of Canberra.
The study suggests that Canberrans experience higher levels of happiness compared to residents of other Australian cities. This is attributed to several factors, including the city's high average income, short commuting times, and access to services and green spaces such as nature reserves.
However, the overall liveability in the Canberra region has seen a decline, dropping from 94.7% in 2020 to 87.8% in 2022. This decline is particularly pronounced among certain demographic groups, including young people, carers, renters, people living in units and apartments, and new arrivals to the city. The impact is attributed to the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, which led to social isolation and economic pressures.
Among these affected groups, carers experienced a significant drop in well-being, exacerbating their already below-average levels. Additionally, those living with a mental health disability also faced challenges.
The findings highlight the need for investment in supporting groups whose well-being has been most affected over the past two years. The research emphasizes the importance of addressing social, educational, and work-related challenges faced by these groups.
In contrast to Canberra, regional Australia is reported to fare better than urban areas, with lower cost of living pressures and a stronger sense of community spirit. Age is identified as a critical factor in higher reported levels of well-being in regional and rural Australia, with older individuals generally being happier. The article introduces the concept of the "sandwich generation" in their 30s and 40s, facing competing responsibilities.
The well-being curve, traditionally a 'U' shape, indicates that people in their late 50s experience an increase in well-being as they have often paid off their mortgage and have fewer responsibilities. However, the article suggests that this curve could shift due to housing affordability issues and the increasing cost of living.
In 2018, The Happiness Project from Bond University highlighted that education levels, health, and wealth were primary determinants for happiness. This information adds a broader context to the discussion on well-being, indicating that factors beyond geographical location also play a significant role.
