Social capital

Social capital is the raw material of civil society created from the everyday interactions between people. It is not located within the person but within the space between people. It is not the property of the organisation, the market, or the state, although all these can engage in its production for mutual benefit. It originates with people forming social connections and networks based on principles of trust, mutual reciprocity, and norms of action. It is referred to as capital because that term invests the concept with the same status as other forms of capital: financial, physical, and human. The term capital is also appropriate because it can be measured and quantified in a way that can distribute its benefits and avoid its losses.[1]

Participation in the local community

In the New South Wales Population Health Survey the following question was asked: In the last 6 months, how often have you attended a local community event such as a church or school fete, school concert, or a street fair?

Overall, 58.9 per cent of New South Wales adults had attended a local community event in the last 6 months. A significantly lower proportion of people born in India (46.4 per cent), Vietnam (45.3 per cent), Germany (41.7 per cent), Italy (40.9 per cent), and China (39.7 per cent) had attended a local community event in the last 6 months.

Feelings of trust

In the New South Wales Population Health Survey the following question was asked: Do you agree or disagree with the statement 'Most people can be trusted'?

Overall, 70.4 per cent of New South Wales adults agree that most people can be trusted. A significantly higher proportion of people born in the United States (81.5 per cent) and China (79.4 per cent) agree that most people can be trusted. A significantly lower proportion of people born in Vietnam (54.4 per cent), Lebanon (46.0 per cent), and Greece (39.2 per cent) agree that most people can be trusted.

Social reciprocity and neighbourhood connection

In the New South Wales Population Health Survey the following question was asked: How often have you visited someone in your neighbourhood in the past week?

Overall, 65.9 per cent of New South Wales adults had visited someone in their neighbourhood in the last week. A significantly higher proportion of people born in Australia (67.5 per cent) had visited someone in their neighbourhood in the last week. A significantly lower proportion of people born in Hong Kong (46.7 per cent), Vietnam (40.6 per cent), and China (37.1 per cent) had visited someone in their neighbourhood in the last week.

Reference

1. Onyx J, Bullen P. Measuring Social Capital in Five Communities in New South Wales. Sydney: Centre for Australasian Community Organisations and Management, 1998. Online at www.mapl.com.au/A2.htm, accessed 6 March 2006.

Graphs

Source:	New South Wales Population Health Survey 2006 (HOIST). Centre for Epidemiology and Research, NSW Department of Health.
Print version:	Although this page can be printed directly from your web browser, a higher quality version is available as a PDF file that can be printed or viewed on screen.
Produced by:	Centre for Epidemiology and Research, Population Health Division, NSW Department of Health.
Last updated on:	1 June 2006