Australians grow more pessimistic despite steady social cohesion, survey finds
Original report:
Economic pressures dominate Australians’ concerns in the 2026 Scanlon report, with pessimism about the country’s future rising. The social cohesion index remains unchanged, however, and broad support for multiculturalism persists alongside increasingly negative attitudes toward some religious and migrant groups.
Almost half of Australians are pessimistic about the country’s future, according to the 2026 Scanlon social cohesion report covered by the Guardian. The survey of more than 10,000 people found pessimism rose to 48%, from 43% in 2025. Cost of living was the leading national issue for 36% of respondents, ahead of housing at 11%.
The report’s social cohesion index held at 78 out of 100, unchanged since 2023, while 76% agreed multiculturalism had benefited Australia. Yet negative attitudes toward several migrant and religious groups increased. In a separate question about major concerns, 69% worried about artificial intelligence, exceeding the shares concerned about climate change or military conflict involving Australia.
The findings connect household financial strain with political disaffection. Among respondents who voted Labor or Coalition in 2025, the report estimates that 47% experiencing hardship now favour another party or candidate, compared with 36% without hardship. It also associates financial stress with weaker institutional trust, without establishing causation.
Source
the Guardian — 4 November 2026
AI-assisted news digest · May be published automatically without editorial review.