Archive · 20 Jul 2026
Australia's wellbeing crisis deepens with rising dissatisfaction
A recent report shows that nearly one in ten Australians are very unhappy with their lives.
This is a big increase from ten years ago.
Researchers say this is because of money problems, like the cost of living going up, and also because people don't trust important groups like the government as much as they used to.
People who are unhappy also feel like they don't have a say in what happens in their communities.
However, strong relationships with neighbors can help people feel happier.
Nearly one in ten Australians report very low life satisfaction, a significant increase from 4.8% in 2014.
Around 2.2 million Australians aged 15 and above are living with severe life dissatisfaction.
Economic factors like cost-of-living pressures and stagnant household incomes contribute to declining life satisfaction.
Lower life satisfaction is linked to weaker trust in institutions and reduced participation in community life.
Stronger community ties could help improve overall wellbeing despite the current crisis.
- Who
- Australians aged 15 and above
- What
- A significant increase in the number of Australians reporting very low life satisfaction, indicating a wellbeing crisis
- When
- Over the past decade, with a notable rise since 2014
- Where
- Australia
- Why
- Due to a combination of economic factors such as cost-of-living pressures and social factors like declining trust in institutions and reduced community engagement
Economic Factors
Social Factors
Causes of Low Life Satisfaction
Economic Factors
Economic factors such as cost-of-living pressures and stagnant household incomes are primary contributors to declining life satisfaction.
Social Factors
Social factors like declining trust in institutions and reduced community engagement are significant contributors to the wellbeing crisis.
- Percentage of Australians with low life satisfaction
- 9.7%
- Number of Australians with severe life dissatisfaction
- 2.2 million
- Percentage of Australians with low life satisfaction in 2014
- 4.8%
- Percentage of Australians with low life satisfaction who feel they have a say in local decisions
- 15%
- Percentage of Australians with high life satisfaction who feel they have a say in local decisions
- 46%
- Percentage of Australians with low life satisfaction who view multiculturalism positively
- 60%
- National average percentage of Australians who view multiculturalism positively
- 80%