Mental health
Life satisfaction
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Key points Introduction How has life satisfaction changed over time in Australia? Life domains associated with overall life satisfaction Who has higher life satisfaction in Australia? Life satisfaction and health Key data gaps and data improvement activities Where can I find more information?Key points
Responses from the Household Income Labour and Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey show:
Life satisfaction in Australia has remained stable at around 8 out of 10 since 2001.
Health, particularly mental health, shows the strongest association with life satisfaction.
Loneliness and weaker social connections are linked to substantially lower life satisfaction.
Introduction
What is life satisfaction?
Life satisfaction refers to how people evaluate the overall quality of their lives. It is recognised internationally as a key component of subjective well‑being (ABS 2025; Veenhoven 1996; OECD 2013).
Life satisfaction reflects a broad sense of how life is going across domains such as relationships, work, health and personal development (OECD 2013). Internationally, life satisfaction tends to be higher in countries with strong economies, low crime, and robust social and political institutions, while cultural values and personal circumstances also play a role (Diener et al. 2013).
What influences life satisfaction?
Life satisfaction is influenced by a wide range of personal, social and economic factors. Research consistently highlights the importance of supportive relationships, stable employment, financial security and good physical health in promoting higher life satisfaction (Botha and Tomaszewski 2021; Headey et al. 2013). Psychological wellbeing also plays a key role, with evidence showing that life satisfaction is closely associated with mental health status throughout life (Fergusson et al. 2015; Lombardo et al. 2018).
How has life satisfaction changed over time in Australia?
According to the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, average life satisfaction in Australia has remained stable since 2001, at around 7.9 on a scale where 10 means ‘completely satisfied’.
Figure 1: Average life satisfaction levels in Australia, 2001 to 2024
Line graph showing average life satisfaction levels in Australia from 2001 to 2024 are stable at around 7.9.
| Year | Average life satisfaction |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 7.95 |
| 2002 | 7.86 |
| 2003 | 7.96 |
| 2004 | 7.92 |
| 2005 | 7.87 |
| 2006 | 7.84 |
| 2007 | 7.88 |
| 2008 | 7.88 |
| 2009 | 7.83 |
| 2010 | 7.85 |
| 2011 | 7.9 |
| 2012 | 7.9 |
| 2013 | 7.89 |
| 2014 | 7.87 |
| 2015 | 7.89 |
| 2016 | 7.89 |
| 2017 | 7.86 |
| 2018 | 7.89 |
| 2019 | 7.93 |
| 2020 | 7.91 |
| 2021 | 7.92 |
| 2022 | 7.94 |
| 2023 | 7.92 |
| 2024 | 7.98 |
Life satisfaction is measured on a scale from 0 (‘not at all satisfied’) to 10 (‘completely satisfied’). Values are population-weighted annual averages and are subject to sampling error and non-sampling error. See technical notes for more information.
Source:
Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, waves 1-24.
Life satisfaction is often measured in surveys using a single-item scale that asks people to rate how satisfied they are with life, usually on a scale from 0 (‘not at all satisfied’) to 10 (‘completely satisfied’). Multi-item scales, such as the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) (Diener et al. 1985) are also commonly used. Both multi-item and single-item scales are reliable and valid, with high correlation between scores from both types of scales (Cheung and Lucas 2014; OECD 2013).
Overall life satisfaction is measured in each wave of the HILDA survey for each person 15 years and over. Each respondent is asked about how satisfied they are in different aspects of life:
- The home in which you live?
- Your employment opportunities?
- Your financial situation?
- How safe you feel?
- Feeling part of your local community?
- Your health?
- The neighbourhood in which you live?
- The amount of free time you have?
The next question in the HILDA survey is about overall life satisfaction: ‘All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life? Again, pick a number between 0 (totally dissatisfied) and 10 (totally satisfied) to indicate how satisfied you are.’
This analysis is mainly focussed on the overall life satisfaction score as evaluated by the final question. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) considers a difference of at least 0.2 points in life satisfaction score on the 0–10 scale to be important (OECD 2024).
Life domains associated with overall life satisfaction
Australians’ overall life satisfaction is most strongly linked to how satisfied they are with their health, followed by their feelings of safety, finances, and housing. There are also positive, but less strong, connections between life satisfaction and community ties, job opportunities and free time. This highlights the central role of health in shaping how Australians feel about their lives.
Figure 2: Correlation of life satisfaction domains, 2001 to 2024
Horizontal bar chart showing how strongly each life domain relates to overall life satisfaction. Health, safety and financial satisfaction show the strongest links.
| Life domain satisfaction | Correlation with overall life satisfaction |
|---|---|
| Your health | 0.5 |
| How safe you feel | 0.47 |
| Financial situation | 0.46 |
| Home where you live | 0.45 |
| Neighbourhood where you live | 0.43 |
| Feeling part of local community | 0.4 |
| Employment opportunities | 0.39 |
| Amount of free time | 0.36 |
Before overall life satisfaction is evaluated in the HILDA survey, each respondent is asked about how satisfied they are in 8 different domains of life. This bar chart shows the strength of correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficients) for each domain with overall life satisfaction. See How is overall life satisfaction measured in the HILDA survey? for more information.
Source:
Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, waves 1-24.
Who has higher life satisfaction in Australia?
Life satisfaction is higher among older people, as well as those with better health, greater socioeconomic advantage and stronger social connections. It is lower among those experiencing health problems or social or economic disadvantage.
Demographics
Life satisfaction varied with age, with higher levels reported among people aged 65 years and over (8.3 in 2024). Males and females reported similar levels for all ages. Differences by country of birth have narrowed over time, with life satisfaction now similar for people born in non‑English‑speaking countries and those born in Australia or other English‑speaking countries.
People aged 65 and over consistently have the highest life satisfaction of any age group, while middle-aged adults (35–64) report the lowest. Younger adults (aged 15–34) are only slightly more satisfied than middle-aged adults (and much less satisfied than older people). In 2024, the average life satisfaction for people aged 65+ was 8.3, compared with 8.0 for those aged 15–34 and 7.8 for those aged 35-64.
Males and females reported very similar levels of overall life satisfaction from 2001 to 2024, with both having an average level of 8.0 in 2024.
The average life satisfaction for people born in Australia or other English-speaking countries was slightly higher than for people born in non-English speaking countries from 2001 to 2023, however the difference between these groups has slowly decreased over time. In 2001, people born in non-English speaking countries had a lower average life satisfaction level (7.6) compared with people born in Australia or other English-speaking countries (8.0). By 2024, life satisfaction was the same for both groups, at 8.0.
Health
People’s health, particularly their mental health, is strongly associated with how satisfied they feel with their lives. People in better physical and mental health report much higher satisfaction levels than those in poor health, while poor health is associated with challenges in work, income, and social connection that may compound over time and affect overall wellbeing.
General health
Australians with good self-assessed general health, as measured by the SF-36 general health measure, consistently reported higher life satisfaction than those with poor general health. The difference between these groups was large, at around 1.1 to 1.4 points over time, well above the 0.2-point difference considered meaningful by the OECD (2024).
In 2024, people with good general health had a higher average life satisfaction (8.1) compared with those with poor general health (6.9). This gap highlights the strong association between general health and life satisfaction in Australia. See technical notes for more information about how poor general health is defined from HILDA survey data.
Mental health
Mental health shows a stronger association with life satisfaction than general health. Between 2001 and 2024, people with good mental health reported stable life satisfaction at around 8.1, substantially higher (1.2 to 1.6 points) than people with poor mental health. Although life satisfaction among people with poor mental health improved modestly over time, increasing from 6.5 to 6.9, it remained substantially lower than among those with good mental health.
People at high or very high risk of psychological distress, or with long‑term mental health conditions, also reported markedly lower life satisfaction than other groups. See technical notes for more information about how poor mental health, psychological distress and long-term health conditions are defined from HILDA survey data.
People with good mental health, as measured by the MHI-5 (a subscale of the SF-36 general health measure), have substantially higher and more stable life satisfaction than those with poor mental health. From 2001 to 2024, life satisfaction remained around 8.1 among people with good mental health, 1.2 to 1.6 points higher than people with poor mental health. Life satisfaction among people with poor mental health improved modestly over time, from 6.5 in 2009 to 6.9 in 2024.
People at high or very high risk of psychological distress consistently reported much lower life satisfaction than those at low or moderate risk. From 2007 to 2023, life satisfaction among people at low or moderate risk remained relatively stable (8.1–8.2), while those at high or very high risk reported substantially lower levels (6.7–7.0). Although life satisfaction among people at high or very high risk increased modestly from 6.7 in 2007 to 7.0 in 2023, it remained well below that of people with lower levels of psychological distress.
People with at least one long-term mental health condition reported much lower levels of life satisfaction than people without any long-term conditions or with at least one long-term physical health condition. From 2003 to 2024, life satisfaction among people with no long‑term health conditions remained stable at around 8.0, and at around 7.6 to 7.8 among those with at least one long-term physical health condition.
In contrast, life satisfaction among people with a long‑term mental health condition was substantially lower and fluctuated between 6.2 and 7.0 over this time. In 2024, their average was 6.8, substantially lower than 7.8 for people with at least one long-term physical health condition and 8.1 for people with no long-term health conditions.
Socioeconomic factors
Socioeconomic factors such as income, employment and home ownership were moderately associated with life satisfaction. However, differences between socioeconomic groups were smaller than those seen with health status.
People with higher incomes had better life satisfaction, but differences between income groups were modest. Renters reported lower life satisfaction than people who owned their home or were paying off a mortgage.
Unemployed people consistently reported lower life satisfaction than those who were employed, or those not in the labour force by choice.
While people with higher education levels reported slightly lower life satisfaction in the early 2000s, there was little difference between education groups by 2024.
Income is moderately associated with life satisfaction, with people in higher income quintiles reporting greater satisfaction. Across the period from 2001 to 2024, the top income quintile had the highest average life satisfaction (8.0–8.2), while the bottom quintile had the lowest (7.6–8.0). There was a modest gap between the top and bottom quintiles around 0.4 points. Although most groups exhibit relative stability over time, the top quintile has shown a modest increase in recent years.
Australians who are unemployed consistently report lower life satisfaction than those who are employed or are voluntarily not in the labour force (for example, retired people). The difference in average life satisfaction for people who are employed and unemployed has remained steady over time. In 2024, unemployed Australians had a lower average life satisfaction (7.5) compared with those who were employed or voluntarily not in the labour force (8.0).
The differences in life satisfaction for people with different education levels have decreased over time. In the early 2000s, people who had not completed high school reported slightly higher life satisfaction than people who had finished high school or gained post‑school qualifications. These differences had disappeared by 2020 and in 2024, all education groups had an average life satisfaction level of 8.0. Previous research suggests that the association between education and life satisfaction operates largely through related factors such as income and health (Powdthavee et al. 2015).
Between 2001 and 2024, life satisfaction levels varied across people in different housing circumstances. Renters reported lower levels of life satisfaction compared with people who owned their homes or were paying off a mortgage. In 2024, the average life satisfaction level was lower for renters (7.7) compared with people who owned their homes or were paying off a mortgage (8.1).
Social connections and relationships
People with strong social connections and supportive relationships report higher levels of life satisfaction.
People who were legally married or widowed generally reported higher life satisfaction than other groups, while people who were separated consistently reported being least satisfied. People in de facto relationships and those who had never married tended to report life satisfaction levels between these groups, with relatively stable patterns over time.
Loneliness was associated with lower life satisfaction, and people with parenting responsibilities reported slightly lower levels overall, although this gap has narrowed over time.
The HILDA data revealed a strong association between relationship status and life satisfaction, with stable patterns across the years.
In 2024, people who were legally married reported the highest average life satisfaction (8.2), followed by those who were widowed (8.1). This pattern is likely influenced by age, as widowed people are more likely to be older, and life satisfaction tends to be higher in older age groups. People in de facto relationships also reported relatively high life satisfaction (8.0). Mean scores were lower among people who had never married and were not in a de facto relationship (7.7), and lower again among people who were divorced (7.6). People who were separated reported the lowest mean life satisfaction (7.2).
Within each relationship status group, mean life satisfaction was similar for males and females.
Between 2001 and 2024, HILDA data revealed a strong and consistent association between loneliness and lower life satisfaction. Individuals who report being lonely consistently report lower average life satisfaction (7.0–7.2), compared with those who are not lonely (8.0). This represents a substantial and consistent gap of approximately 0.8–1.0 point. In 2024, people who were lonely had an average life satisfaction of 7.2, while people who were not lonely had a higher average life satisfaction of 8.1.
Between 2001 and 2018, people with parenting responsibilities had slightly lower life satisfaction (7.6–7.8), compared with people without parenting responsibilities (7.9–8.0). The difference between the groups has slowly reduced since 2001. In 2024, people with parenting responsibilities had an average life satisfaction level of 7.9, which was comparable to the average level of 8.0 for people without parenting responsibilities.
Geography
Where people live can influence how satisfied people are with their lives. People living in regional and remote areas experience slightly higher life satisfaction levels than those in major cities. Living in a more disadvantaged area is consistently associated with lower life satisfaction.
Between 2001 and 2024, life satisfaction levels varied across remoteness areas in Australia. People living in Major cities consistently reported slightly lower average levels of life satisfaction (7.8–7.9) compared with those in Inner and Outer regional areas (8.0–8.1). Life satisfaction levels were reasonably stable for most groups over this time, except for people living in Remote or Very remote areas whose average life satisfaction levels fluctuated from 7.8 to 8.3. In 2024, people living in Major cities reported an average life satisfaction level of 7.9, slightly lower than 8.1 for Outer regional areas, 8.1 for Inner regional areas and 8.2 for Remote or Very remote areas.
Individuals in more disadvantaged areas (lower SEIFA deciles) consistently reported lower average life satisfaction levels than those in more advantaged areas (higher SEIFA deciles). The SEIFA measure used in this report is the Index of Relative Socio‑Economic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD) 2021, which reflects the relative advantage and disadvantage of the areas where people live.
In 2009 during the Global Financial Crisis, people living in the most disadvantaged areas (Decile 1) reported the lowest average life satisfaction (7.5). In contrast, those in the most advantaged areas (Decile 10) seemed less impacted, with an average life satisfaction of 8.0.
Similarly in 2024, the average life satisfaction level was lowest for people in the most disadvantaged area (Decile 1) at 7.7, and highest for people in the most advantaged area (Decile 10) at 8.1. These differences remained persistent over time, highlighting a moderate association between area-level disadvantage and levels of life satisfaction.
Smoking and alcohol use
Lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol use, which can have impacts on overall health, have only modest associations with life satisfaction. Smokers have slightly lower life satisfaction than non-smokers or ex-smokers. People who consume alcohol may be benefiting from increased social interaction and report slightly higher life satisfaction than non-drinkers.
Smoking is associated with differences in life satisfaction. Individuals who have never smoked or no longer smoke consistently report the highest levels of life satisfaction, averaging around 8.0 throughout the period. In contrast, smokers exhibit the lowest life satisfaction, averaging around 7.5, with a persistent gap of about 0.4–0.5 points compared with non-smokers. Overall, the data suggest that smoking is negatively associated with life satisfaction, while quitting smoking or never smoking is linked to improved wellbeing. Since smoking is closely linked with socioeconomic disadvantage, the association with lower life satisfaction is likely driven by underlying social and economic circumstances rather than smoking itself.
Life satisfaction varies only slightly by alcohol use, with all groups averaging between 7.8 and 8.1 over time. In 2024, people who consume alcohol regularly (5+ days per week) and less regularly (1–4 days per week) reported a slightly higher average life satisfaction (8.1), compared with people who never consume alcohol (8.0) or drink occasionally or rarely (7.9).
Overall, alcohol use has a relatively weak positive association with life satisfaction compared with factors such as general or mental health or relationship status. Given that alcohol use often relates to social interaction, these findings may reflect the social benefits of moderate drinking rather than the direct effects of drinking alcohol itself.
Explore the differences in life satisfaction across population groups in ‘Figure 3: Life satisfaction by population group, 2001 to 2024' below.
Figure 3: Life satisfaction by population group, 2001 to 2024
Interactive graph showing life satisfaction in Australia from 2001 to 2024 for different population groups.
| Year | 15-34 | 35-64 | 65+ | All (15+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.5 | 7.9 |
| 2002 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2003 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.6 | 8.0 |
| 2004 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.4 | 7.9 |
| 2005 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2006 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.8 |
| 2007 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2008 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2009 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.8 |
| 2010 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 7.8 |
| 2011 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2012 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2013 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2014 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2015 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2016 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2017 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2018 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2019 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2020 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2021 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2022 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2023 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2024 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 8.0 |
| Year | Born in Australia or other English-speaking country | Born in a non-English-speaking country |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2002 | 7.9 | 7.5 |
| 2003 | 8.0 | 7.7 |
| 2004 | 8.0 | 7.7 |
| 2005 | 7.9 | 7.6 |
| 2006 | 7.9 | 7.5 |
| 2007 | 7.9 | 7.6 |
| 2008 | 7.9 | 7.8 |
| 2009 | 7.9 | 7.5 |
| 2010 | 7.9 | 7.6 |
| 2011 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2012 | 7.9 | 7.7 |
| 2013 | 7.9 | 7.7 |
| 2014 | 7.9 | 7.7 |
| 2015 | 7.9 | 7.7 |
| 2016 | 7.9 | 7.8 |
| 2017 | 7.9 | 7.7 |
| 2018 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2019 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| 2020 | 8.0 | 7.7 |
| 2021 | 7.9 | 7.8 |
| 2022 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| 2023 | 7.9 | 7.8 |
| 2024 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| Year | Good general health | Poor general health |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8.1 | 7.0 |
| 2002 | 8.0 | 6.8 |
| 2003 | 8.1 | 7.0 |
| 2004 | 8.0 | 6.9 |
| 2005 | 8.0 | 6.9 |
| 2006 | 8.0 | 6.8 |
| 2007 | 8.0 | 6.8 |
| 2008 | 8.0 | 6.9 |
| 2009 | 8.0 | 6.6 |
| 2010 | 8.0 | 6.8 |
| 2011 | 8.0 | 6.9 |
| 2012 | 8.0 | 6.9 |
| 2013 | 8.0 | 6.8 |
| 2014 | 8.0 | 6.7 |
| 2015 | 8.0 | 6.8 |
| 2016 | 8.0 | 6.8 |
| 2017 | 8.0 | 6.6 |
| 2018 | 8.0 | 6.8 |
| 2019 | 8.1 | 6.8 |
| 2020 | 8.0 | 6.9 |
| 2021 | 8.0 | 6.9 |
| 2022 | 8.1 | 7.0 |
| 2023 | 8.1 | 6.8 |
| 2024 | 8.1 | 6.9 |
| Year | Good mental health | Poor mental health |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8.2 | 6.6 |
| 2002 | 8.1 | 6.6 |
| 2003 | 8.2 | 6.6 |
| 2004 | 8.1 | 6.7 |
| 2005 | 8.1 | 6.6 |
| 2006 | 8.1 | 6.6 |
| 2007 | 8.1 | 6.6 |
| 2008 | 8.1 | 6.7 |
| 2009 | 8.1 | 6.5 |
| 2010 | 8.0 | 6.6 |
| 2011 | 8.1 | 6.6 |
| 2012 | 8.1 | 6.6 |
| 2013 | 8.1 | 6.6 |
| 2014 | 8.1 | 6.6 |
| 2015 | 8.1 | 6.6 |
| 2016 | 8.1 | 6.6 |
| 2017 | 8.1 | 6.6 |
| 2018 | 8.1 | 6.6 |
| 2019 | 8.2 | 6.8 |
| 2020 | 8.2 | 6.8 |
| 2021 | 8.2 | 6.9 |
| 2022 | 8.2 | 6.9 |
| 2023 | 8.2 | 6.8 |
| 2024 | 8.2 | 6.9 |
| Year | High/Very high psychological distress | Low/moderate psychological distress |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 6.7 | 8.1 |
| 2009 | 6.6 | 8.1 |
| 2011 | 6.7 | 8.1 |
| 2013 | 6.8 | 8.1 |
| 2015 | 6.7 | 8.2 |
| 2017 | 6.7 | 8.1 |
| 2019 | 6.9 | 8.2 |
| 2021 | 7.1 | 8.2 |
| 2023 | 7.0 | 8.2 |
| Year | Does not have a long-term health condition | Has a long-term mental health condition | Has a long-term physical health condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 8.1 | 6.6 | 7.8 |
| 2004 | 8 | 6.5 | 7.7 |
| 2005 | 8 | 6.2 | 7.8 |
| 2006 | 8 | 6.7 | 7.6 |
| 2007 | 8 | 6.7 | 7.7 |
| 2008 | 8 | 6.7 | 7.7 |
| 2009 | 8 | 6.6 | 7.7 |
| 2010 | 8 | 6.8 | 7.6 |
| 2011 | 8 | 6.7 | 7.6 |
| 2012 | 8 | 6.7 | 7.7 |
| 2013 | 8 | 6.7 | 7.7 |
| 2014 | 8 | 6.7 | 7.7 |
| 2015 | 8.1 | 6.6 | 7.7 |
| 2016 | 8.1 | 6.5 | 7.6 |
| 2017 | 8 | 6.4 | 7.7 |
| 2018 | 8.1 | 6.6 | 7.7 |
| 2019 | 8.1 | 6.7 | 7.8 |
| 2020 | 8.1 | 6.7 | 7.7 |
| 2021 | 8.1 | 7 | 7.7 |
| 2022 | 8.1 | 6.9 | 7.8 |
| 2023 | 8.1 | 6.8 | 7.8 |
| 2024 | 8.1 | 6.8 | 7.8 |
| Year | Bottom | Second | Middle | Fourth | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.1 |
| 2002 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| 2003 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.1 |
| 2004 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| 2005 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.0 |
| 2006 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| 2007 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| 2008 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| 2009 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.0 |
| 2010 | 7.7 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| 2011 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| 2012 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.1 |
| 2013 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| 2014 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| 2015 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| 2016 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| 2017 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| 2018 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| 2019 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.1 |
| 2020 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| 2021 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.1 |
| 2022 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.1 |
| 2023 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.1 |
| 2024 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| Year | Employed | Not in the labour force | Unemployed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 7.3 |
| 2002 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.4 |
| 2003 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 7.5 |
| 2004 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.4 |
| 2005 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2006 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.2 |
| 2007 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.6 |
| 2008 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2009 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.5 |
| 2010 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.4 |
| 2011 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.6 |
| 2012 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.5 |
| 2013 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2014 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.3 |
| 2015 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.3 |
| 2016 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.4 |
| 2017 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.5 |
| 2018 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.3 |
| 2019 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.4 |
| 2020 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 7.4 |
| 2021 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.3 |
| 2022 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 7.4 |
| 2023 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.3 |
| 2024 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| Year | Bachelor's degree or higher | Completed high school | Less than high school completion | Other post-school qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 7.9 |
| 2002 | 7.7 | 7.7 | 8.0 | 7.9 |
| 2003 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 7.9 |
| 2004 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 7.9 |
| 2005 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| 2006 | 7.7 | 7.7 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| 2007 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| 2008 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| 2009 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 7.8 |
| 2010 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.8 |
| 2011 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.9 |
| 2012 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.9 |
| 2013 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.9 |
| 2014 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| 2015 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| 2016 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| 2017 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| 2018 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| 2019 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.9 |
| 2020 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.9 |
| 2021 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.9 |
| 2022 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| 2023 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| 2024 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.9 |
| Year | Own/currently paying off mortgage | Renting |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8.1 | 7.5 |
| 2002 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2003 | 8.1 | 7.7 |
| 2004 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2005 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2006 | 7.9 | 7.6 |
| 2007 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2008 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2009 | 7.9 | 7.5 |
| 2010 | 7.9 | 7.6 |
| 2011 | 8.0 | 7.7 |
| 2012 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2013 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2014 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2015 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2016 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2017 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2018 | 8.0 | 7.7 |
| 2019 | 8.0 | 7.7 |
| 2020 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2021 | 8.0 | 7.7 |
| 2022 | 8.0 | 7.7 |
| 2023 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2024 | 8.1 | 7.7 |
| Year | De facto | Divorced | Married | Single (never married) | Separated | Widowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7.9 | 7.3 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 6.9 | 8.4 |
| 2002 | 7.8 | 7.1 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 6.8 | 8.2 |
| 2003 | 7.8 | 7.3 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 7.0 | 8.5 |
| 2004 | 7.8 | 7.4 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 7.0 | 8.3 |
| 2005 | 7.8 | 7.3 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.0 | 8.1 |
| 2006 | 7.8 | 7.3 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 6.9 | 8.3 |
| 2007 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| 2008 | 7.8 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.0 | 8.2 |
| 2009 | 7.9 | 7.3 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 6.9 | 8.0 |
| 2010 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| 2011 | 7.9 | 7.3 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.1 | 8.2 |
| 2012 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.1 | 8.2 |
| 2013 | 7.8 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 6.9 | 8.2 |
| 2014 | 7.9 | 7.3 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.3 | 8.0 |
| 2015 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.2 | 8.0 |
| 2016 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 7.1 | 8.1 |
| 2017 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| 2018 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 6.9 | 8.0 |
| 2019 | 8.0 | 7.6 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 7.1 | 8.0 |
| 2020 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 7.2 | 8.0 |
| 2021 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 7.3 | 8.0 |
| 2022 | 8.0 | 7.6 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 7.2 | 8.0 |
| 2023 | 7.9 | 7.6 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 7.1 | 8.1 |
| 2024 | 8.0 | 7.6 | 8.2 | 7.7 | 7.2 | 8.1 |
| Year | De facto | Divorced | Married | Single (never married) | Separated | Widowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7.9 | 7.2 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 6.9 | 8.3 |
| 2002 | 7.8 | 7.1 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 6.8 | 8.2 |
| 2003 | 7.7 | 7.4 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 7.0 | 8.1 |
| 2004 | 7.8 | 7.3 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 7.1 | 7.9 |
| 2005 | 7.7 | 7.6 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 7.1 | 7.9 |
| 2006 | 7.8 | 7.4 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 7.0 | 7.9 |
| 2007 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.2 | 7.9 |
| 2008 | 7.8 | 7.4 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.1 | 8.1 |
| 2009 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 7.2 | 7.9 |
| 2010 | 7.8 | 7.5 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.1 | 7.8 |
| 2011 | 7.8 | 7.3 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.1 | 8.3 |
| 2012 | 7.9 | 7.3 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 7.1 | 8.0 |
| 2013 | 7.8 | 7.2 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| 2014 | 7.8 | 7.2 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 7.2 | 7.6 |
| 2015 | 7.9 | 7.6 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 7.1 | 8.0 |
| 2016 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 6.9 | 8.3 |
| 2017 | 7.9 | 7.2 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| 2018 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 6.8 | 7.9 |
| 2019 | 7.9 | 7.6 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.0 | 8.1 |
| 2020 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 7.2 | 7.9 |
| 2021 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 7.1 | 7.7 |
| 2022 | 8.0 | 7.6 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 7.1 | 8.0 |
| 2023 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 6.9 | 8.4 |
| 2024 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 8.2 | 7.8 | 7.0 | 8.1 |
| Year | De facto | Divorced | Married | Single (never married) | Separated | Widowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 8.2 | 7.8 | 6.9 | 8.4 |
| 2002 | 7.9 | 7.1 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 6.8 | 8.2 |
| 2003 | 7.9 | 7.3 | 8.2 | 7.8 | 7.1 | 8.6 |
| 2004 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 8.2 | 7.8 | 6.9 | 8.3 |
| 2005 | 7.9 | 7.1 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 7.0 | 8.2 |
| 2006 | 7.9 | 7.2 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 6.9 | 8.4 |
| 2007 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 6.8 | 8.1 |
| 2008 | 7.8 | 7.3 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 6.9 | 8.2 |
| 2009 | 7.9 | 7.1 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 6.8 | 8.1 |
| 2010 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 6.8 | 8.1 |
| 2011 | 7.9 | 7.3 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 7.1 | 8.2 |
| 2012 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.2 | 8.3 |
| 2013 | 7.8 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 6.9 | 8.3 |
| 2014 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 7.3 | 8.2 |
| 2015 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 7.2 | 8.0 |
| 2016 | 7.8 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 7.2 | 8.1 |
| 2017 | 8.0 | 7.6 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| 2018 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 6.9 | 8.1 |
| 2019 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 7.3 | 8.0 |
| 2020 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 7.2 | 8.0 |
| 2021 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 7.5 | 8.1 |
| 2022 | 8.0 | 7.6 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 7.3 | 8.0 |
| 2023 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 7.3 | 8.0 |
| 2024 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 7.7 | 7.3 | 8.1 |
| Year | Lonely | Not lonely |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7.2 | 8.1 |
| 2002 | 7.2 | 8.0 |
| 2003 | 7.2 | 8.1 |
| 2004 | 7.1 | 8.1 |
| 2005 | 7.2 | 8.0 |
| 2006 | 7.2 | 7.9 |
| 2007 | 7.1 | 8.0 |
| 2008 | 7.1 | 8.0 |
| 2009 | 7.1 | 7.9 |
| 2010 | 7.1 | 8.0 |
| 2011 | 7.2 | 8.0 |
| 2012 | 7.1 | 8.0 |
| 2013 | 7.2 | 8.0 |
| 2014 | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| 2015 | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| 2016 | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| 2017 | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| 2018 | 7.1 | 8.0 |
| 2019 | 7.1 | 8.1 |
| 2020 | 7.1 | 8.1 |
| 2021 | 7.2 | 8.1 |
| 2022 | 7.2 | 8.1 |
| 2023 | 7.2 | 8.1 |
| 2024 | 7.2 | 8.1 |
| Year | No parenting responsibilities | Parenting responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| 2002 | 7.9 | 7.7 |
| 2003 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| 2004 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| 2005 | 7.9 | 7.7 |
| 2006 | 7.9 | 7.6 |
| 2007 | 7.9 | 7.7 |
| 2008 | 7.9 | 7.7 |
| 2009 | 7.9 | 7.7 |
| 2010 | 7.9 | 7.7 |
| 2011 | 7.9 | 7.8 |
| 2012 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| 2013 | 7.9 | 7.8 |
| 2014 | 7.9 | 7.7 |
| 2015 | 7.9 | 7.8 |
| 2016 | 7.9 | 7.8 |
| 2017 | 7.9 | 7.8 |
| 2018 | 7.9 | 7.8 |
| 2019 | 8.0 | 7.9 |
| 2020 | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| 2021 | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| 2022 | 8.0 | 7.9 |
| 2023 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| 2024 | 8.0 | 7.9 |
| Year | Inner regional Australia | Major cities of Australia | Outer regional Australia | Remote or Very remote Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 8.1 |
| 2002 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| 2003 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 8.3 |
| 2004 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 8.3 |
| 2005 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| 2006 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 8.1 |
| 2007 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 8.0 |
| 2008 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| 2009 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.1 |
| 2010 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| 2011 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| 2012 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 8.3 |
| 2013 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 8.1 |
| 2014 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.3 |
| 2015 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 8.1 |
| 2016 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| 2017 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| 2018 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.3 |
| 2019 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.9 |
| 2020 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.3 |
| 2021 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.1 |
| 2022 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.1 |
| 2023 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.1 |
| 2024 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| Year | 1 (most disadvantaged) | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 (most advantaged) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8 | 8 | 8.1 | 8 | 8 | 7.9 | 8 | 7.9 |
| 2002 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8 | 8 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| 2003 | 7.8 | 8 | 8 | 7.9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7.9 | 8 | 8 |
| 2004 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8 | 8 | 7.9 | 8 | 7.9 | 8 |
| 2005 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8 | 7.9 |
| 2006 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8 | 8 | 7.9 |
| 2007 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8 | 7.8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 2008 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8 | 8.1 | 8 |
| 2009 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 8 |
| 2010 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8 | 7.9 | 8 |
| 2011 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8 | 7.8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 2012 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 2013 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8 |
| 2014 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8 | 7.9 | 8 |
| 2015 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8 | 8 | 8.1 |
| 2016 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8 | 8.1 |
| 2017 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8 |
| 2018 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8 | 7.8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8.1 |
| 2019 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8 | 8 | 8.1 | 8.1 |
| 2020 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8 | 8.1 |
| 2021 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8 | 7.9 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 2022 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8.1 |
| 2023 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8 | 7.9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8.1 |
| 2024 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8 | 8.1 | 8.1 | 8 | 8 | 8.1 |
| Year | Ex-smoker | Never smoked | Smoker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8.0 | 8.1 | 7.6 |
| 2002 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2003 | 8.0 | 8.1 | 7.6 |
| 2004 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2005 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2006 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 7.4 |
| 2007 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2008 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2009 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 7.4 |
| 2010 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2011 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2012 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2013 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2014 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2015 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.4 |
| 2016 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.4 |
| 2017 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2018 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2019 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
| 2020 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2021 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2022 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2023 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 2024 | 8.0 | 8.1 | 7.6 |
| Year | 1-4 days/week | Never | Occasionally | 5+ days/week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| 2002 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| 2003 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| 2004 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| 2005 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| 2006 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| 2007 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| 2008 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.9 |
| 2009 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.9 |
| 2010 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 8.0 |
| 2011 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.1 |
| 2012 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| 2013 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.9 |
| 2014 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| 2015 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| 2016 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| 2017 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| 2018 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.1 |
| 2019 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.0 |
| 2020 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.1 |
| 2021 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.1 |
| 2022 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| 2023 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.1 |
| 2024 | 8.1 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| Year | 15-34 | 35-64 | 65+ | All (15+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.5 | 7.9 |
| 2002 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 8.4 | 7.8 |
| 2003 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 8.5 | 7.9 |
| 2004 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 8.4 | 7.8 |
| 2005 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.8 |
| 2006 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.8 |
| 2007 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.8 |
| 2008 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.8 |
| 2009 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.8 |
| 2010 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2011 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2012 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2013 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2014 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 7.8 |
| 2015 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2016 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2017 | 7.9 | 7.6 | 8.2 | 7.8 |
| 2018 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2019 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2020 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2021 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2022 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2023 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2024 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 8.0 |
| Year | 15-34 | 35-64 | 65+ | All (15+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.6 | 8.0 |
| 2002 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2003 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.7 | 8.0 |
| 2004 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.5 | 8.0 |
| 2005 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2006 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2007 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2008 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2009 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 7.8 |
| 2010 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 7.8 |
| 2011 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2012 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 8.4 | 7.9 |
| 2013 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2014 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2015 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2016 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 2017 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 7.9 |
| 2018 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2019 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2020 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2021 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2022 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2023 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| 2024 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 8.0 |
Life satisfaction is measured on a scale from 0 (‘not at all satisfied’) to 10 (‘completely satisfied’). Values are population-weighted annual averages and are subject to sampling error and non-sampling error. See technical notes for more information.
Source:
Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, waves 1-24.
Life satisfaction and health
The relationship between health and life satisfaction is often described as ‘bidirectional’ – good health can improve life satisfaction, while higher life satisfaction may also be associated with better health outcomes. Studies consistently show that physical and mental health predict life satisfaction, while evidence that life satisfaction predicts later health is more mixed and varies by age, outcomes measured and methods used (Hill et al. 2026; Moreno-Agostino et al. 2021). Other studies suggest that declines in health and life satisfaction can influence each other over time, indicating that these outcomes may change together rather than in a single direction.
Across the HILDA Survey period, people with below-average life satisfaction consistently reported poorer general health than those with above-average life satisfaction. The gap between groups widened over time, as the proportion of people reporting poor general health increased among those with below-average life satisfaction, from 18% in 2001 to 22% in 2024, while remaining relatively stable around 6% to 8% for those with above-average life satisfaction.
Similar patterns were observed for mental health. The proportion of people reporting poor mental health was substantially higher during 2024 among those with below-average life satisfaction (39%), compared with those with above-average life satisfaction (10%). People with below-average life satisfaction also experienced increased risk of high or very high psychological distress and long‑term mental health conditions over time, compared with people with above-average life satisfaction.
Overall, these findings highlight a strong association between lower life satisfaction and poorer mental health outcomes.
People with below-average life satisfaction consistently reported poorer general health outcomes than those with above-average life satisfaction. Between 2001 and 2024, the proportion of people with below-average life satisfaction (scores under 8) reporting poor general health rose from 18% to 22%. Meanwhile, only a steady 7% of those with above-average life satisfaction (scores of 8 or above) reported poor general health.
From 2001 to 2024, the proportion of people with poor mental health increased overall in Australia. The increase was much larger among people with below-average life satisfaction (scores under 8). For this group, the proportion rose from around 28% to about 40%, while increasing slightly among people with above-average life satisfaction (scores of 8 or above) from around 8% to 10% (Figure 5). This widening gap highlights a strong association between lower life satisfaction and poorer mental health in Australia.
People with below-average life satisfaction levels were more likely to be at high or very high risk of psychological distress compared with the general population in Australia. People with below-average life satisfaction (scores under 8) had a large increase in the proportion at high or very high risk of psychological distress, from 32% in 2007 to 48% in 2023. People with above-average life satisfaction (scores of 8 or above) had a smaller increase in the proportion at high or very high risk of psychological distress, from 9% in 2007 to 16% in 2023.
From 2003 to 2024, there was a modest increase in the proportion of people with below-average life satisfaction (scores under 8) having at least one long-term mental health condition, from 5% in 2003 to 12% in 2024. The proportion of people with above-average life satisfaction (scores of 8 or above) having at least one long-term mental health condition has been very low and only increased slightly from 2% in 2003 to 5% in 2022, before decreasing to 3% in 2024.
From 2003 to 2024, the proportion of people with below-average life satisfaction (scores under 8) having at least one long-term physical health condition fluctuated a small amount between 25% and 28%. The proportion of people with above-average life satisfaction (scores of 8 or above) having at least one long-term physical health condition was slightly less, between 20% and 24%.
Explore the proportions of people experiencing poor general health, poor mental health, high or very high psychological distress, or long-term health conditions according to their overall life satisfaction in ‘Figure 4: Life satisfaction and health, 2001 to 2024’ below.
Figure 4: Life satisfaction and health, 2001 to 2024
Interactive line graphs showing the differences in general and mental health by life satisfaction in Australia from 2001 to 2024.
| Year | Below-average life satisfaction | Above-average life satisfaction |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 17.6% | 7.3% |
| 2002 | 18.9% | 7.2% |
| 2003 | 19.7% | 7.6% |
| 2004 | 19.2% | 7.0% |
| 2005 | 19.5% | 7.7% |
| 2006 | 19.1% | 6.7% |
| 2007 | 19.4% | 6.7% |
| 2008 | 18.8% | 6.7% |
| 2009 | 19.2% | 6.2% |
| 2010 | 19.7% | 6.8% |
| 2011 | 18.2% | 6.4% |
| 2012 | 18.0% | 6.4% |
| 2013 | 18.7% | 6.4% |
| 2014 | 20.5% | 6.3% |
| 2015 | 19.9% | 6.4% |
| 2016 | 19.5% | 6.5% |
| 2017 | 20.2% | 6.0% |
| 2018 | 21.7% | 6.8% |
| 2019 | 22.5% | 6.8% |
| 2020 | 20.7% | 6.3% |
| 2021 | 20.2% | 6.5% |
| 2022 | 21.8% | 7.8% |
| 2023 | 23.8% | 7.2% |
| 2024 | 22.3% | 6.7% |
| Year | Below-average life satisfaction | Above-average life satisfaction |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 28.3% | 7.9% |
| 2002 | 26.6% | 7.4% |
| 2003 | 28.8% | 6.9% |
| 2004 | 30.4% | 7.8% |
| 2005 | 28.9% | 7.5% |
| 2006 | 27.7% | 7.3% |
| 2007 | 27.5% | 6.9% |
| 2008 | 26.1% | 6.8% |
| 2009 | 28.5% | 6.6% |
| 2010 | 27.2% | 7.0% |
| 2011 | 25.8% | 6.7% |
| 2012 | 28.7% | 6.8% |
| 2013 | 29.1% | 6.8% |
| 2014 | 29.5% | 7.5% |
| 2015 | 31.7% | 7.4% |
| 2016 | 32.9% | 7.4% |
| 2017 | 32.1% | 7.7% |
| 2018 | 34.5% | 7.8% |
| 2019 | 34.2% | 9.2% |
| 2020 | 38.2% | 10.8% |
| 2021 | 38.0% | 11.8% |
| 2022 | 39.6% | 10.9% |
| 2023 | 38.8% | 10.8% |
| 2024 | 39.2% | 10.4% |
| Year | Below-average life satisfaction | Above-average life satisfaction |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 32.2% | 8.8% |
| 2009 | 31.1% | 8.1% |
| 2011 | 31.9% | 9.0% |
| 2013 | 32.0% | 9.5% |
| 2015 | 37.0% | 9.5% |
| 2017 | 38.0% | 10.4% |
| 2019 | 41.0% | 12.1% |
| 2021 | 45.8% | 16.7% |
| 2023 | 47.9% | 15.9% |
| Year | Below-average life satisfaction | Above-average life satisfaction |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 5.4% | 1.7% |
| 2004 | 6.2% | 2.1% |
| 2005 | 7.1% | 1.7% |
| 2006 | 6.8% | 2.1% |
| 2007 | 7.8% | 2.7% |
| 2008 | 6.9% | 2.1% |
| 2009 | 8.4% | 2.5% |
| 2010 | 7.5% | 2.6% |
| 2011 | 7.3% | 2.7% |
| 2012 | 8.2% | 2.4% |
| 2013 | 9.0% | 3.0% |
| 2014 | 9.6% | 2.9% |
| 2015 | 10.8% | 3.1% |
| 2016 | 10.4% | 2.6% |
| 2017 | 10.6% | 2.8% |
| 2018 | 12.6% | 3.6% |
| 2019 | 12.0% | 3.5% |
| 2020 | 12.4% | 3.6% |
| 2021 | 11.0% | 4.2% |
| 2022 | 13.5% | 4.6% |
| 2023 | 12.2% | 4.0% |
| 2024 | 11.6% | 3.3% |
| Year | Below-average life satisfaction | Above-average life satisfaction |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 29.3% | 21.3% |
| 2002 | 27.9% | 19.0% |
| 2003 | 28.4% | 23.5% |
| 2004 | 26.2% | 21.2% |
| 2005 | 27.1% | 24.1% |
| 2006 | 27.8% | 22.1% |
| 2007 | 26.0% | 21.4% |
| 2008 | 25.9% | 21.0% |
| 2009 | 26.4% | 22.5% |
| 2010 | 27.5% | 21.3% |
| 2011 | 25.8% | 20.2% |
| 2012 | 25.0% | 20.8% |
| 2013 | 27.6% | 22.9% |
| 2014 | 26.9% | 20.8% |
| 2015 | 26.8% | 20.5% |
| 2016 | 27.2% | 19.6% |
| 2017 | 26.9% | 21.7% |
| 2018 | 25.5% | 20.0% |
| 2019 | 26.5% | 20.8% |
| 2020 | 27.9% | 20.7% |
| 2021 | 28.4% | 22.4% |
| 2022 | 26.8% | 22.5% |
| 2023 | 26.6% | 21.0% |
| 2024 | 27.0% | 21.5% |
Life satisfaction is measured on a scale from 0 (‘not at all satisfied’) to 10 (‘completely satisfied’). Scores under 8 are considered below-average, while scores of 8 or above are considered above-average. Proportions are population-weighted and subject to sampling error and non-sampling error. See technical notes for more information.
Source:
Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, waves 1-24.
Key data gaps and data improvement activities
Key data gaps
The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey does not cover certain population groups and areas in its sampling process due to high operational complexities and costs, resulting in specific data gaps (Watson and Wooden 2002).
Population groups not included:
- diplomatic personnel of overseas governments
- overseas residents who had stayed or intended to stay in Australia for less than one year
- members of non-Australian defence forces and their dependents
- residents of institutions (for example, hospitals, care facilities, military installations, correctional facilities, convents) and other non-private dwellings (for example, hotels, motels)
- individuals living in remotely or sparsely populated areas.
HILDA focuses on national-level research. Despite exclusions, HILDA provides robust representation for multiple sub-group analyses at the national level.
Data development activities
The HILDA survey collects data annually, typically running from July to March of the following year. Updates to the analysis of HILDA data in this report will be made as new data becomes available. Ongoing monitoring of life satisfaction alongside mental health, social connection and socioeconomic factors will help track how wellbeing changes over time and identify groups with persistently lower outcomes.
Further analysis will also strengthen understanding of how life satisfaction, health, social connections, and other socioeconomic factors are linked across people’s lives. This will include the use of more advanced analytical approaches, such as regression modelling, to better examine how life satisfaction is related to mental health outcomes. This work will support clearer evidence on wellbeing in Australia and help inform future policy and service planning for people at greater risk of poorer health and wellbeing outcomes.
Where can I find more information?
You may also be interested in:
- Australia's mental health system
- Mental health services
- Prevalence and impact of mental illness
- Mental health treatment use
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed about your situation, it’s important to seek support early to reduce the risk of more serious mental health impacts. To access crisis and support services visit: Crisis and support services
The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey
Data reported in this section are sourced from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. The HILDA Survey is a household-based panel study that collects yearly information about economic and personal wellbeing, labour market dynamics and family life. This survey was first collected in 2001. Information collected includes family relationships, income and employment, and health and education. The HILDA Survey follows the lives of more than 17,000 Australians each year, aiming to tell the stories of the same group of Australians over the course of their lives (Laß et al. 2025).
Refer to the HILDA Survey website for more information.
Reported years
This report draws on HILDA Survey data from 2001 to 2024. While the survey has been conducted annually since 2001, not all questions were asked every year. The measures listed below were collected only in the specified years, while other indicators, such as general health status and mental health status, were collected annually:
- Psychological distress (K10 scale): Collected in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023
- Long-term mental health condition: Collected annually from 2003 onwards.
Limitations
The order of survey questions can influence overall life satisfaction scores. The OECD guidelines (2013) state that question placement can affect responses and recommend positioning life satisfaction items early in a survey, after neutral demographic questions, to reduce context effects. Veenhoven (1996) also notes that small changes in wording or sequencing can affect response when people are making quick evaluations of their lives. A limitation of the HILDA survey could be that the questions about life satisfaction follow many in-depth questions about education, employment, income, family relationships, health status and health care usage. Also, asking a person to first evaluate the different aspects of their lives may influence how they evaluate their lives overall compared with other surveys, such as ANU Poll. The overall life satisfaction question in ANU Poll follows questions about what the respondent thinks are the two most important problems facing Australia today and how satisfied they are with the way the country is heading, which could potentially negatively influence how a person evaluates their own life.
There are some limitations in the HILDA Survey data regarding the representation of people from migrant backgrounds. The first wave of data was collected in 2001, but concerns were later raised about underrepresentation of migrants completing the survey, particularly in light of increased immigration since that time. To address this, a general top-up sample was added in 2011 to improve the coverage. A second top-up sample, focused exclusively on immigrants, was introduced between 2023 and 2025, although this analysis only includes 2023 and 2024 with the top-up sample (Laß et al. 2025).
Remoteness areas
While Very remote areas of Australia were not included in the initial sampling process for HILDA, the data include people who moved there in subsequent years. Due to the small sample of people living in Very remote areas included in the survey, we have grouped people living in Remote areas and very remote areas together in our analysis.
General health status and mental health status
This report uses the SF-36 measures of general health and mental health derived from the HILDA Survey. The SF-36 Health Survey is a 36-item questionnaire designed to capture health outcomes from the patient’s perspective. Within HILDA, it is administered as part of the Self-Completion Questionnaire.
Scores for both general and mental health range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health status. Consistent with the HILDA Statistical Report (Laß et al. 2025), this report adopts the following thresholds:
- Poor general health: Score ≤37, representing approximately 10–15% of the population across HILDA survey waves
- Poor mental health: Score ≤52, also corresponding to approximately 10–15% of the population over the survey period.
The 52-point threshold for mental health has also been applied in previous studies, supporting its use in this context (Botha et al. 2023; Roy and Schurer 2013).
Psychological distress
Psychological distress in this report is measured using the Kessler 10 (K10) scale, a widely used self-report tool that assesses symptoms of anxiety and depression. The K10 has been included in the HILDA Survey every two years since 2007. Psychological distress levels are classified according to the total score as follows (Laß et al. 2025):
- Low or moderate: 10–21
- High or very high: 22–50
Long-term health conditions
In the HILDA survey, the term ‘long-term health condition’ is used to describe any long-term health condition, impairment or disability which a respondent reports has restricted them in their everyday activities, and has lasted, or is likely to last, for six months or more. People with a ‘long-term mental health condition’ are respondents reporting a nervous or emotional condition which requires treatment and/or any mental illness which requires help or supervision, and has lasted, or is likely to last, for six months or more. People with a ‘long-term physical health condition’ are those with a long-term health condition but do not have any long-term mental health conditions. Questions about long-term health conditions have been included in the HILDA survey since 2001, however questions specifically about long-term mental health conditions have only been included since 2003, so we have only reported on this data from 2003 onwards.
Correlation coefficients
Correlation is a statistical measure (expressed as a number) that describes the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two or more variables. A correlation between variables, however, does not automatically mean that the change in one variable causes change in the other variable. Correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the strength of the association between satisfaction across eight key life domains and overall life satisfaction. Coefficients range from –1 to +1, with values closer to –1 or +1 indicating stronger associations. A large positive coefficient in our analysis indicates that higher satisfaction in a particular life domain is associated with higher overall life satisfaction.
Weights
All estimates from our analysis presented in this report use weighted data. The HILDA data use weights to make inferences about the Australian population from a sample. Weighted data represent the population's demographic characteristics by aligning the estimates with known external population benchmarks (Watson 2012). The benchmarks used in the weighting process for state, part of state/territory, sex and age come from the Estimated Residential Population figures produced by the ABS based on the Census, updated for births, deaths, immigration, emigration and interstate migration. The person benchmarks for labour force status and marital status come from the ABS Labour Force Survey. These benchmarks may change from release to release (Watson 2012). This process allows one to use survey responses to estimate population proportions.
Relative standard error (RSE)
Relative standard error (RSE) is used to assess the reliability of estimates derived from HILDA Survey data. Estimates with an RSE between 25% and 50% are considered to have a high level of sampling error and should be interpreted with caution. Estimates with an RSE of 50% or more are regarded as subject to very high sampling error and are considered too unreliable for general use; such estimates should either not be published or clearly flagged as unreliable.
All values presented in this report fall within acceptable RSE thresholds, defined as less than 25%.
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