Daily London
More adults named economic concerns – the likes of standard of living, high prices, or low wages – than any other issue, with 23 per cent.
That figure is more than double the next-highest concerns of work, politics and safety.
Only three per cent were primarily worried about the far more basic concerns of food and shelter, and seven out of the 10 countries where those were named as the top concern are in sub-Saharan Africa.
However, Australia appeared third on that list, along with two other high-income countries that are also facing housing crises: Ireland and Canada.
“All three countries face well-documented housing crises, with younger adults most likely to say that affording basic needs is the country’s biggest problem,” the report stated.
“The scale of dissatisfaction with housing in these three countries shows how people’s struggles to afford basic needs like housing may colour their perceptions of the national economy, even in prosperous nations.”
The research found Australians’ satisfaction with the availability of good and affordable housing has significantly dropped over the decade to 2025, falling from just under 50 per cent to 25 per cent.
It comes as data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics today showed living costs rose for all household types in the 12 months to the December quarter due to the rising cost of housing, food and non-alcoholic drinks.
“Rises in annual living costs ranged from 2.3 per cent to 4.2 per cent in the December 2025 quarter, depending on the expenditure patterns of the different household types,” ABS head of price statistics Michelle Marquardt said.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has defended the government’s spending levels and cost-of-living measures, saying temporary factors like the energy rebate and rising travel costs and persistent factors like housing were to blame.
“I take responsibility for all aspects of my job, including my part in the fight against inflation, but more than that, we’re taking action,” he told reporters yesterday.
“We know that Australians are under pressure.”
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