SYDNEY, May 12 (Reuters) - Following is a comparison of Australia with several other developed nations on the basis of government finances and economic performance*
Australia+ US Euro UK Japan
08.09/09.10 Govt net debt (% of GDP)* -0.4/+4.5 46.2 42.7 32.6 87.8 Govt deficit (% of GDP)** -2.7/-4.5 -12.9 -5.3 -11.5 -6.3~ Jobless rate 8.3 8.9 7.5# 6.7 4.8 (latest data)*** Q4 '08 GDP (%) -0.5 -1.6 -1.5
-1.6 -3.2 Credit Ratings (Standard & Poor's) AAA AAA A-minus AAA AAA
to AAA^ * Data is for 2008, except Australia which is 2008/09 & 2009/10. The outcome for 2008/09 is a net cash surplus ** Data is for 2009 fiscal years, except Australia which is 2008/09 & 2009/10 *** Latest figures for all countries except Australia, which is 2008/09 forecast. ~ Figure from The Economist poll # 2008 data from the European Commission ^ Each member nation of the Eurozone has its own credit rating -- Data taken from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Reuters (Reporting by Mark Bendeich; Editing by Koh Gui Qing)