Social capital

Introduction

Social capital is the raw material of civil society created from the interactions between people. It is not located within the person but in the space between people. It is not the property of the organisation, market, or state, but all these can engage in its production. It originates with people forming social connections and networks based on trust, mutual reciprocity, and norms of action. It is referred to as capital because that term invests it 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 distributes its benefits and avoids its losses.[1,2,3]

Most of the social capital questions used by New South Wales Population Health Survey are adapted from the social capital tool developed by Bullen and Onyx,[1] reported under the headings: trust and safety, and reciprocity and neighbourhood connection. In response to the NSW State Plan, the Survey also collects further information about the proportion of the adult population who participated in a group recreational, cultural, or religious activity in the last 12 months, and who have participated in a sport or physical activity in the last 12 months. This information is reported under the heading: building harmonious communities.[4]

Results

Trust and safety

Most people can be trusted

In 2009, 71.4 per cent of adults strongly agreed or agreed that most people can be trusted. There was no significant difference between males and females. A significantly higher proportion of adults aged 45-54 years (77.6 per cent) and 75 years and over (76.1 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of adults aged 16-24 years (65.3 per cent) and 25-34 years (66.8 per cent), strongly agreed or agreed that most people can be trusted, compared with the overall adult population.

A significantly higher proportion of adults in the first or least disadvantaged quintile (82.4 per cent) and second disadvantaged quintile (74.6 per cent), and a signficantly lower proportion of adults in the fifth or most disadvantaged quintile (59.0 per cent), strongly agreed or agreed that most people can be trusted, compared with the overall adult population.

A significantly higher proportion of adults in rural health areas (74.1 per cent) than urban health areas (70.2 per cent) strongly agreed or agreed that most people can be trusted. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney & Central Coast (78.8 per cent) and Greater Southern (75.7 per cent) Area Health Services, and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney South West Area Health Service (64.6 per cent), strongly agreed or agreed that most people can be trusted, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 2002, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults who strongly agreed or agreed that most people can be trusted (65.7 per cent to 71.4 per cent). The increase has been significant in males and females, and in urban and rural health areas.

However, since 2008, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who strongly agreed or agreed that most people can be trusted.

Feels safe walking down their street after dark

In 2009, 73.1 per cent of adults felt safe walking down their street after dark. A significantly higher proportion of males (83.7 per cent) than females (62.8 per cent) felt safe walking down their street after dark. Among males, a significantly lower proportion of those aged 65-74 years (75.9 per cent) and 75 years and over (60.4 per cent), and a significantly higher proportion of those aged 16-24 years (87.8 per cent) and 25-34 years (90.3 per cent), felt safe walking down their street after dark, compared with the overall adult male population. Among females, a significantly higher proportion of those aged 35-44 years (70.6) and 45-54 years (71.5 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of those aged 65-74 years (52.9 per cent) and 75 years and over (36.7 per cent), felt safe walking down their street after dark, compared with the overall adult female population.

A significantly higher proportion of adults in the first or least disadvantaged quintile (85.0 per cent) and second disadvantaged quintile (79.1 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the fourth disadvantaged quintile (69.5 per cent) and fifth or most disadvantaged quintile (60.4 per cent), felt safe walking down their street after dark, compared with the overall adult population.

There was no significant difference between rural and urban health areas. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the South Eastern Sydney & Illawarra (77.4 per cent) and Northern Sydney & Central Coast (80.8 per cent) Area Health Services, and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney South West (67.4 per cent) and Greater Western (67.9 per cent) Area Health Services, felt safe walking down their street after dark, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 2002, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults who felt safe walking down their street after dark (67.4 per cent to 73.1 per cent). The increase has been significant in males and females, and in urban and rural health areas.

However, since 2008, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who felt safe walking down their street after dark.

Area has a reputation for being safe

In 2009, 75.0 per cent of adults said their area has a reputation for being safe. There was no significant difference between males and females. A significantly higher proportion of adults aged 45-54 years (79.9 per cent), 55-64 years (79.1 per cent), 65-74 years (80.5 per cent), and 75 years and over (81.5 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of adults aged 16-24 years (69.1 per cent) and 25-34 years (65.1 per cent), said their area has a reputation for being safe, compared with the overall adult population.

A significantly higher proportion of adults in the first or least disadvantaged quintile (87.6 per cent) and second disadvantaged quintile (80.8 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the fifth or most disadvantaged quintile (56.4 per cent), said their area has a reputation for being safe, compared with the overall adult population.

A significantly higher proportion of adults in rural health areas (80.8 per cent) than urban health areas (72.4 per cent) said their area has a reputation for being safe. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney & Central Coast (82.0 per cent), Hunter & New England (79.8 per cent), North Coast (79.2 per cent), and Greater Southern (85.6 per cent) Area Health Services, and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney South West (65.9 per cent) and Sydney West (69.9 per cent) Area Health Services, said their area has a reputation for being safe, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 2002, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who said their area has a reputation for being safe; however, there has been a significant increase in females, and in rural health areas.

However, since 2008, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who said their area has a reputation for being safe.

Reciprocity and neighbourhood connection

Visited neighbours in the last week

In 2009, 61.0 per cent of adults visited neighbours at least once in the last week. There was no significant difference between males and females. A significantly higher proportion of adults aged 65-74 years (70.3 per cent) visited neighbours at least once in the last week, compared with the overall adult population.

A significantly higher proportion of adults in the fourth disadvantaged quintile (65.5 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the fifth or most disadvantaged quintile (57.4 per cent), visited neighbours at least once in the last week, compared with the overall adult population.

A significantly higher proportion of adults in rural health areas (67.5 per cent) than urban health areas (58.2 per cent) visited neighbours at least once in the last week. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Hunter & New England (65.9 per cent), North Coast (69.5 per cent), Greater Southern (69.7 per cent), and Greater Western (65.2 per cent) Area Health Services, and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney South West Area Health Service (54.8 per cent), visited neighbours at least once in the last week, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 2002, there has been a significant decrease in the proportion of adults who visited neighbours at least once in the last week (66.3 per cent to 61.0 per cent). The decrease has been significant in males and females, and in urban and rural health areas.

However, since 2008, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who visited neighbours at least once in the last week.

Ran into friends and acquaintances while shopping

In 2009, 81.9 per cent of adults ran into friends and acquaintances when shopping in their local area. A significantly lower proportion of males (79.6 per cent) than females (84.1 per cent) ran into friends and acquaintances when shopping in their local area. Among males, a significantly lower proportion of those aged 25-34 years (73.6 per cent) ran into friends and acquaintances when shopping in their local area, compared with the overall adult male population. Among females, a significantly higher proportion of those aged 45-54 years (87.4 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of those aged 75 years and over (80.2 per cent), ran into friends and acquaintances when shopping in their local area, compared with the overall adult female population.

A significantly higher proportion of adults in the fourth disadvantaged quintile (87.4 per cent) ran into friends and acquaintances when shopping in their local area, compared with the overall adult population.

A significantly higher proportion of adults in rural health areas (89.3 per cent) than urban health areas (78.7 per cent) ran into friends and acquaintances when shopping in their local area. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Hunter & New England (86.8 per cent), North Coast (88.6 per cent), Greater Southern (93.5 per cent), and Greater Western (90.8 per cent) Area Health Services, and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney South West (77.6 per cent), Sydney West (76.8 per cent), and Northern Sydney & Central Coast (78.1 per cent) Area Health Services, ran into friends and acquaintances when shopping in their local area, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 2002, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who ran into friends and acquaintances when shopping in their local area.

Sad if had to leave neighbourhood

In 2009, 71.9 per cent of adults would feel sad if they had to leave their neighbourhood. A significantly lower proportion of males (69.0 per cent) than females (74.6 per cent) would feel sad if they had to leave their neighbourhood. Among males, a significantly higher proportion of those aged 55-64 years (74.6 per cent), 65-74 years (77.9 per cent), and 75 years and over (86.1 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of those aged 16-24 years (59.3 per cent), would feel sad if they had to leave their neighbourhood, compared with the overall adult male population. Among females, a significantly higher proportion of those aged 45-54 years (78.6 per cent), 55-64 years (78.0 per cent), 65-74 years (84.0 per cent), and 75 years and over (84.3 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of those aged 16-24 years (62.7 per cent) and 25-34 years (67.6 per cent), would feel sad if they had to leave their neighbourhood, compared with the overall adult female population.

A significantly higher proportion of adults in the first or least disadvantaged quintile (77.9 per cent) and second disadvantaged quintile (74.9 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the third disadvantaged quintile (67.4 per cent) and fifth or most disadvantaged quintile (65.0 per cent), would feel sad if they had to leave their neighbourhood, compared with the overall adult population.

A significantly higher proportion of adults in rural health areas (75.0 per cent) than urban health areas (70.5 per cent) would feel sad if they had to leave their neighbourhood. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney & Central Coast (75.4 per cent), North Coast (79.2 per cent), and Greater Western (76.2 per cent) Area Health Services, and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney South West (66.6 per cent) and Sydney West (67.0 per cent) Area Health Services, would feel sad if they had to leave their neighbourhood, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 2002, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who would feel sad if they had to leave their neighbourhood.

However, since 2008, there has been a significant decrease in the proportion of adults who would feel sad if they had to leave their neighbourhood (74.8 per cent to 71.9 per cent). The decrease has been significant in females, and in urban health areas.

Building harmonious communities

In 2009, adults participated in the following activities: recreational group or cultural group (28.7 per cent), community or special interest group (29.8 per cent), church or religious activities (27.9 per cent), went out to a cafe or restaurant or bar (85.9 per cent), took part in sport or physical activities (51.3 per cent), attended a sporting event as a spectator (47.3 per cent), visited a library or museum or art gallery (57.7 per cent), attended the movies or a theatre or a concert (69.1 per cent), visited a park or botanic gardens or zoo or theme park (69.9 per cent). Respondents could mention more than 1 response.

Participated in a group recreational, cultural, or religious activity

In 2009, 54.0 per cent of adults participated in a group recreational, cultural, or religious activity in the last 12 months. A significantly lower proportion of males (51.1 per cent) than females (56.8 per cent) participated in a group recreational, cultural, or religious activity in the last 12 months. Among males, a significantly higher proportion of those aged 35-44 years (57.8 per cent) participated in a group recreational, cultural, or religious activity in the last 12 months, compared with the overall adult male population. Among females, a significantly higher proportion of those aged 65-74 years (65.1 per cent) and 75 years and over (63.9 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of those aged 16-24 years (47.3 per cent), participated in a group recreational, cultural, or religious activity in the last 12 months, compared with the overall adult female population.

A significantly higher proportion of adults in the first or least disadvantaged quintile (59.2 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the fifth or most disadvantaged quintile (51.1 per cent), participated in a group recreational, cultural, or religious activity in the last 12 months, compared with the overall adult population.

There was no significant difference between rural and urban health areas. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Greater Southern Area Health Service (60.7 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney South West (50.6 per cent) and Hunter & New England (50.5 per cent) Area Health Services, participated in a group recreational, cultural, or religious activity in the last 12 months, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 2007, there has been a significant decrease in the proportion of adults who participated in a group recreational, cultural, or religious activity in the last 12 months (57.9 per cent to 54.0 per cent). The decrease has been significant in males, and in urban health areas.

However, since 2008, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who participated in a group recreational, cultural, or religious activity in the last 12 months.

Participated in a sport or physical activity

In 2009, 51.3 per cent of adults participated in a sport or physical activity in the last 12 months. A significantly higher proportion of males (56.7 per cent) than females (46.2 per cent) participated in a sport or physical activity in the last 12 months. Among males, a significantly higher proportion of those aged 16-24 years (72.8 per cent) and 35-44 years (64.2 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of those aged 55-64 years (45.4 per cent), 65-74 years (43.1 per cent), and 75 years and over (29.3 per cent), participated in a sport or physical activity in the last 12 months, compared with the overall adult male population. Among females, a significantly higher proportion of those aged 16-24 years (60.8 per cent) and 35-44 years (54.9 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of those aged 55-64 years (38.9 per cent), 65-74 years (34.3 per cent) and 75 years and over (19.7 per cent), participated in a sport or physical activity in the last 12 months, compared with the overall adult female population.

A significantly higher proportion of adults in the first or least disadvantaged quintile (61.4 per cent) and second disadvantaged quintile (54.3 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the fifth or most disadvantaged quintile (40.9 per cent), participated in a sport or physical activity in the last 12 months, compared with the overall adult population.

There was no significant difference between rural and urban health areas. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney & Central Coast Area Health Service (59.2 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney South West (44.0 per cent) and Sydney West (47.9 per cent) Area Health Services, participated in a sport or physical activity in the last 12 months, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 2007, there has been a significant decrease in the proportion of adults who participated in a sport or physical activity in the last 12 months (60.4 per cent to 51.3 per cent). The decrease has been significant in males and females, and in urban and rural health areas.

However, since 2008, there has been a significant decrease in the proportion of adults who participated in a sport or physical activity in the last 12 months (55.2 per cent to 51.3 per cent). The decrease has been significant in males and females, and in urban health areas.

References

Management Alternatives Pty Ltd. What is social capital? Available online at www.mapl.com.au/A2.htm (accessed 10 September 2010).
World Bank Social Capital Website. Measuring Social capital. Available online at http://web.worldbank.org (accessed 10 September 2010).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. Measuring Social Capital: An Australian Framework and Indicators, 2004. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2004. Available online at www.abs.gov.au (accessed 10 September 2010).
Premier's Department. NSW State Plan: Investing in a batter future. Sydney: NSW Government, 2010. Available online at www.nsw.gov.au/stateplan (accessed 28 September 2010).

Graphs

Source:	New South Wales Population Health Survey 2009 (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 January 2011