Then and Now: Reflections on Two Australian Mining Booms

Robert Gregory

No 5969, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Australia is experiencing its largest mining boom for more than a century and a half. This paper explores, from a national perspective, important economic differences that arise when a mining boom, such as the current one, is generated by export price increases (trading gains) rather than export volume increases. Terms of trade changes - through their direct trading gain effect and indirect real GDP effect, primarily through increased employment levels - have increased Australian living standards. The increase, relative to the US, is about 25 per cent; an increase which probably places Australian living standards well above those of the US.

Keywords: resource booms; terms of trade; real GDP; economic growth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C43 E01 O11 O47 Q33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 41 pages
Date: 2011-09
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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