Nearly 2.2 million Australians, or one in 10, live below the wellbeing poverty line, with very low life satisfaction doubling since 2014, according to ABS data. This surge, linked to Covid lockdowns and soaring cost of living, correlates with increased alienation and lower support for multiculturalism, impacting social cohesion.
Australia's net overseas migration fell to 301,000 people last year, the lowest since mid-2022 but still exceeding pre-pandemic rates. The figures emerge amid a heated political debate on immigration, with the government highlighting the downward trend while the opposition deems the numbers "far too high" given housing and infrastructure pressures.
An Australian woman pleads for her father's deportation to Nauru to be halted. Overseas, Donald Trump confirms a call with Israel's PM, while Iran attacks Kuwait airport. Australia faces trade tariffs, and NDIS reforms face criticism.
An Australian woman is pleading for her father's deportation to Nauru to be halted. Meanwhile, Donald Trump confirmed a testy call with Israel's PM, Iran attacked Kuwait airport, and Australia faces trade tariffs.
New Australian Bureau of Statistics data reveals a 40% rise in nicotine consumption from 2017-2025, driven by a surge in illegal tobacco to 80% of the market. This has led to a drop in household spending on cigarettes, creating a $6.9bn budget hole.
New Australian Bureau of Statistics data reveals a 40% surge in nicotine consumption between 2017-2025, driven by a rise to 80% of illicit tobacco products. This has led to a drop in household spending on cigarettes, creating a $6.9bn budget hole.
Migration has been a key driver of Australia's economic growth, helping avoid recession since the early 1990s except during pandemic-related border closures in 2021. The share of overseas-born residents rose to 32% in 2025 from 29.5% in 2022, according to ABS data. However, immigration has become politically contentious as Australia faces its worst housing shortage in a generation.
