The Rise Of Australasia

Chapter 394: Chapter 335: A Gratifying Financial Situation

If the population of the powerful nations in the Allies and the Central Powers are calculated separately, the total population of the Allies would be 65.41 million + 52 million + 35 million, equaling 152.41 million people.

The total population of the Central Powers would be 165 million + 44.1 million + 39.7 million, equaling 248.8 million people.

152.41 million compared to 248.8 million, there is a population gap of nearly 100 million between the Allies and the Central Powers.

Although most of this 100 million people are Russians, don't forget that Britain and France also have extensive colonies.

If the population of India and African colonies are included, the population of the Allies would increase by several hundred million and would be far ahead of the population of the Central Powers.

From the huge population gap, it can be understood that there is still a gap in the combat power between the Allies and the Central Powers at present.

If the extremely unstable factor of Italy is added, the gap between the Allies and the Central Powers would be even greater.

If it were not for the strength of the German Army being too strong, the situation in Europe would hardly be as it is now.

The huge population gap also means that the Allies have greater war potential.

If the war were a kind of war that lasts only a few months to less than a year, perhaps the gap in war potential between the two sides would not be so huge.

But if the war lasts for several years, Germany, even if it doesn't suffer much in the war, would be dragged to death on the European battlefield by the joint efforts of Britain, France, and Russia.

In 1912, the gross national product (GNP) of Australasia reached 1.43 billion US dollars, and the growth rate of the economy was much faster than the previous year.

At present, the economic situation of Australasia is among the top ten in the world.

Of course, compared to the powers like Britain, Germany, and the United States, this level of economy is not even a fraction, but compared to inferior powers like Italy and the Island Nation, there is hope for catching up.

In 1912, the GNP of the major countries in the world were:

First place, United States, 39.14 billion US dollars.

Second place, Germany, 12.477 billion US dollars.

Third place, United Kingdom, 11.785 billion US dollars.

Fourth place, France, 9.522 billion US dollars.

Fifth place, Russia, 8.438 billion US dollars.

Sixth place, Italy, 4.065 billion US dollars.

Seventh place, Beiyang, 3.652 billion US dollars.

Eighth place, Island Nation, 2.5 billion US dollars.

Ninth place, Austro-Hungarian Empire, 2.042 billion US dollars.

Compared to countries like the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Island Nation, Australasia has the potential to catch up.

But in fact, that's not the case, as the data doesn't reflect the current economic situation in Australasia.

Actually, the reason why Australasia's GNP is as high as 1.43 billion US dollars is mainly due to the contributions of the various enterprises of the Royal Financial Group.

Especially in the case of Benz Car Factory, which sells well all over the world, the contribution to the total economy of Australasia and the contribution to tax revenues each year are much greater than what the numbers can show.

Without the contributions of the various enterprises of the Royal Financial Group, the GNP of Australasia would probably barely surpass one billion US dollars.

The development of the economy can also be seen from the standard of living of the people. As of now, the per capita annual income of Australasia has reached as high as 50.3 Australian dollars, with the growth rate visibly slowing down.

But this is actually quite normal, as the real reason for the rapid growth in per capita income at the beginning was due to the relatively low base of per capita income.

And the various factories and enterprises founded by Arthur offered salaries that were far above the average level of per capita income, and therefore also rapidly drove the growth of per capita income.

At this time, the per capita income of Australasia is not low and is considered middle-to-upper class even within Europe.

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As of now, the highest per capita annual income should be in the economically most developed United States.

America's per capita annual income is as high as 350 US dollars, which is around nearly 70 pounds, 140 Australian dollars.

Next is the United Kingdom, with a per capita income of 249 US dollars, about 60 pounds.

Germany, France, and Italy rank third, fourth, and fifth, respectively, at 190 US dollars, 160 US dollars, and 115 US dollars.

Comparing this, the per capita annual income of Australasia is 50.3 Australian dollars, equivalent to about 125.7 US dollars, and has already surpassed that of powerful nations like the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russia, and Italy.

Although the total economies of these countries are much more developed than Australasia, their populations are also several times to more than ten times that of Australasia.

Among the powerful nations where the per capita annual income is relatively low, Russia has many Russian common people still facing famine and poverty, even having a full meal may be a luxury.

In such situations, it is not surprising that a large number of Russian common people choose to immigrate to countries mainly in Australasia.

After all, the most famous policy in Australasia at the moment is advocated by Arthur, which is to eliminate hunger throughout Australasia.

It is not an exaggeration to say that once you go to Australasia and pass the immigration check there, you don't have to worry about facing hunger.

Because once you pass the immigration check, you will be considered an Australasian and enjoy the welfare food policy of Australasia.

Even those with low education levels who cannot find a job will be arranged by the government to work on some construction sites and projects, using the work-for-relief method to exchange for food and housing.

Although the royal family incurs millions of Australian dollars in expenses each year for various welfare food distributions, it is all worth it.

Who in the whole of Australasia does not feel grateful to the royal family and Arthur?

It is a good deal for Arthur to gain people's recognition and love with a little investment.

Let people be fed and clothed, and even the society is more stable.

At the beginning of the establishment of the Australian Principality, the security environment was not that good. At that time, there were even criminal cases of theft and robbery for a meal.

But now, unless the amount of money involved is enough to shock people, who would be willing to take risks for a meal and break the law?

Please note that for low-income or no-income people registered in Australasia, the Royal Relief Committee will distribute free food every year, which is enough for these people to eat.

Although they are all basic food, with a small amount of meat, milk, etc., it is better for people facing hunger to have something to eat than nothing.

More importantly, these foods are mostly distributed directly to low-income and no-income people through the Royal Relief Committee.

This means that there will be no government intervention, and under the supervision of the royal family, corrupt practices of food and food will not occur.

Of course, if something like this really happens, Arthur doesn't mind letting people see the majesty of the royal family and the consequences of offending the royal family.

Although Arthur seems to be very kind and hardly gets angry, the high officials and old people in Australasia's political arena know that once someone angers Arthur, God can't save him.

For Arthur, who has high sovereignty, Arthur is the sky of Australasia, and Arthur's words are the truth of Australasia.

Another significant manifestation of the high-speed economic development is the fiscal revenue of the Australasian government.

In 1912, the total fiscal revenue of the government reached a high of 96,370,000 Australian dollars, with a growth rate of about 23% compared to the previous year.

Of course, the reason for such a huge growth is that in 1912, Australasia not only held the Sydney Olympics but also welcomed the global voyage of the airship Morning Star.

A large number of foreign tourists gathered in Australasia, making a significant contribution to Australasia's economy and government fiscal revenue.

In addition to the growth of the domestic economy in Australasia, government fiscal revenue is already infinitely close to the 100 million Australian dollar mark.

However, there are no Olympic Games in 1913, and it is not easy for Australasia's fiscal revenue to continue to grow.

However, there is good news that the second phase of the Leonora Industrial Base is fully completed, and it can be employed into production in the new year.

This will make a significant contribution to Australasia's industry and economy, and it is not impossible for fiscal revenues to continue to grow.

Of course, the crazy growth of fiscal revenue also means that fiscal expenditure will not decrease.

In 1912, the total fiscal expenditure of the Australasian government reached 89.13 million Australian dollars.

Compared to 1911, the total fiscal expenditure in 1912 increased by more than 22 million Australian dollars.

The reason for such a large increase is not only the preparation for the Olympic Games but also the increase in immigration and the implementation of more immigration policies.

Of course, throughout this year, Australasia has been stockpiling food and rapidly producing weapons, equipment, and medical supplies.

These large stockpiles of strategic material reserves also cost the government a lot of money.

However, the supplies currently being prepared are for future wars, and the money paid now will yield several or dozens of times more in the future.

The good news is that even though fiscal expenditure increased by nearly 22 million Australian dollars, the government's fiscal status remains in surplus.

Although there is only a surplus of 7.24 million Australian dollars, it is still better than a fiscal deficit!

Don't underestimate it, there are not many countries in the world's major powers that can achieve a fiscal surplus.

Even purely, except for Britain, which has a vast colony, other countries have more or less fiscal deficits.

A survey from the European Division of the Royal Security Intelligence Agency shows that all the homelands of the powers, except for the British Empire, are in a fiscal deficit.

The most significant fiscal deficit should be the Russian Empire.

The Russian Empire's fiscal revenue in 1912 was as high as 130 million pounds, which seems like a lot, but the total fiscal expenditure was also as high as 185 million pounds.

By this calculation, the fiscal deficit is as high as 55 million pounds, which is much higher than Australasia's total fiscal revenue.

This is also the advantage of having a large population. Even though the Russian economy is not that good, having a large population still ranks among the top in terms of fiscal revenue.

Even Russia's fiscal revenue has no competitors in the world, except for the most economically developed countries such as Britain, France, Germany, and the United States.