12 March 2012, 120312, class, class difference, income, Polling, polls, Social Class, society, wealth
Q. Do you believe social classes still exist in Australia?
|
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
Income under $600pw |
Income $600 – $1,000pw |
Income $1,000 – $1,600pw |
Income $1,600+ |
|
| Yes |
86% |
87% |
83% |
90% |
84% |
86% |
84% |
87% |
| No |
8% |
8% |
11% |
3% |
5% |
7% |
10% |
8% |
| Don’t know |
7% |
5% |
6% |
7% |
10% |
7% |
7% |
5% |
86% agreed that social class still exists in Australia – only 8% disagreed. There was little difference across demographic groups – more than 80% of all major groups agreed.
12 March 2012, 120312, class, higher incomes, incomes, lower incomes, Middle class, Polling, polls, Social Class, society, Upper class, Working class
Q. Do you consider yourself –
|
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
Income under $600pw |
Income $600 – $1,000pw |
Income $1,000 – $1,600pw |
Income $1,600+ |
|
| Working class |
34% |
41% |
30% |
24% |
40% |
44% |
40% |
22% |
| Middle class |
50% |
46% |
54% |
64% |
31% |
36% |
52% |
69% |
| Upper class |
1% |
* |
1% |
– |
* |
– |
1% |
2% |
| None of them |
12% |
11% |
12% |
12% |
27% |
18% |
6% |
5% |
| Don’t know |
3% |
2% |
2% |
– |
1% |
2% |
1% |
1% |
50% of respondents described themselves as “middle class” and 34% as “working class” – only 1% claimed to be “upper class”.
Those on higher incomes were more likely to identify as “middle class” while those on lower incomes were less likely to identify with any of these descriptions.