How do Australians feel about their wellbeing? Here's what new data shows

A survey of more than 10,000 Australians shows personal wellbeing holding steady, but confidence in the country falling. The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index scored personal wellbeing at 67.2 out of 100 in April and May, down 1.1 by September. The national score fell 3.2 points to 54.8. Satisfaction with the economy and the government dropped the most, and had still not recovered months later.

The index has run for over 25 years. People who are unemployed or on low incomes report the lowest wellbeing, a gap that has barely changed except when pandemic payments were doubled. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, 56 per cent reported high distress. Asked about the future, Australians said housing, AI, health care, climate change and global instability would hurt the next generation more than themselves. Over 83 per cent named housing costs.

It shows how people are really feeling about their lives and the country, not just what the economic numbers say.