The latest report released by Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth indicates Australian youth is faring poorly in terms of wellbeing.

The report incorporates data from 34 member nations of the OECD and ranks Australia against other nations on 46 indicators of health, safety, education and material welfare.

Although Australia ranked in the top third for 12 of the 46 indicators, it ranks in the bottom third in 13 of the 46.

Areas Australians ranked high in were environmental conditions in the home and smoking rates. Areas Australians rated low in were infant mortality, rates of asthma and diabetes, family joblessness and income equality. Obesity was also an area of concern.

These sorts of studies highlight the important of income protection and life insurance. If you are unable to work due to long term effects of asthma or diabetes or you are affected by family joblessness, arranging income protection prior to these situations will provide your family with a safety net.