A new survey from the Australian National University shows that Australians’ satisfaction with life has fallen to a record low, even below levels recorded during COVID-19 lockdowns.
According to the ANU polling program (ANUpoll), which surveyed 3,662 adults in March this year, average life satisfaction—measured on a 10-point scale—fell to just 6.22. This is lower than the 6.52 recorded in April 2020 at the height of the pandemic, marking the lowest level since the survey began in 2019. The study also found differences across age groups, with people aged 65 and above reporting the highest satisfaction, while those aged 35 to 54 recorded significantly lower levels.
Economic pressure is seen as a key factor. The survey found that 34.9% of respondents said they were struggling or very struggling to live on their current income, the highest level on record. Although unemployment remains at 4.3%, 26.8% of employed respondents said they were worried about losing their jobs, close to pandemic-era levels. In addition, more than 30% of respondents were concerned about their jobs being replaced by automation, a figure that has risen sharply since 2018.
On broader social sentiment, 54% of respondents said they were dissatisfied with the country’s direction, the first time this has exceeded the proportion expressing satisfaction. Pessimism about the future has also increased, with around 59% believing life was better 50 years ago, and a similar proportion expecting conditions to worsen over the next 50 years. Negative expectations for the next generation have also widened significantly.
Researchers said the findings reflect multiple pressures facing Australian society, including rising cost of living, employment uncertainty, and declining confidence in the future, with overall public sentiment becoming increasingly cautious and pessimistic.