Poverty, inequality and social welfare are defined in this book.
Previous poverty studies are surveyed and a new index of poverty is
developed based on everyday meanings, and stressing the individual and
relative nature of poverty. Previous definitions of inequality and
welfare are described and the relations between them and poverty are
explored. New estimates of poverty are made for Australia. Conclusions
are derived from comparisons between measured levels of poverty over
time and across family types. Previous Australian studies of inequality
and welfare are surveyed and new estimates are made for Australia for
recent years.