Wellbeing and Optimism Wane in Australia: Why the Gloom?
A Commentary by Victor Perton, that optimism man.
The latest Gallup World Poll reveals a surprising trend. Perceived wellbeing is falling in Australia, with less than half of the population reporting they are 'thriving'.
How can a country so rich in opportunity feel so uncertain about its future?
There is a continuing downward trend for our nation, even as global well-being indicators for many other countries are rising. According to Gallup’s analysis, more people around the world are reporting that they are living better lives overall.
Why is there a downward trend in Australian wellbeing?
Declining optimism? Why is pessimism rising?
Australians enjoy one of the world's most idyllic lifestyles. We live in a beautiful country with one of the highest minimum wages and longest life expectancies. Yet, the dominant media narrative is one of crisis, hardship, and emergency. Sensational headlines, doom scrolling on social media, and our innate bias toward risk and negativity all contribute to this national sense of gloom.
This media-driven narrative is reinforced by a series of recent studies that paint a clear picture of declining optimism.
A recent GHD study ranked Australia and other English-speaking nations among the lowest globally in optimism. It asked: "Do you think that the decisions being made by the current generation of leaders will leave your community in a better or worse state than it is today?" Gen Z and Millennials expressed pessimism about economic and environmental futures. Older Australians, meanwhile, voiced declining trust in institutions. Reinforcing this, the 2024 LG Global Optimism Survey showed only 34 per cent of Australians believe the world is getting better, a fourteen-point drop from 2023.
Concerns about the cost of living, housing unaffordability, and distrust in government feed this sentiment. The 2024 Lowy Institute Poll found just 52 per cent of Australians optimistic about the economy, with only 2 per cent "very optimistic", the lowest on record.
Yet optimism is more than a feeling. It is a leadership advantage, a public health tool, and a national asset. Research from Gallup shows only 49 per cent of Australians rate their future life outlook at eight or above on the Cantril Ladder, well below Finland’s sixty per cent. Optimism lifts wellbeing, builds resilience, and fuels innovation. In the words of The Optimism Principle: "The answer to life's most pressing questions is optimism."
What can we do? The time has come to model optimism, to cultivate a more hopeful national narrative, and to amplify what is working well. Let us replace the language of crisis with one of opportunity. Let us celebrate our strengths, acknowledge our capacity to overcome, and rebuild trust in each other. Let us be the magnetic optimists our communities need.
The journey to a more optimistic Australia begins with a conscious choice. We can foster a climate of optimism that lifts our people, renews our institutions, and unites our future. It starts with the stories we tell, the questions we ask, and the daily choice to look toward the sun.
What makes optimism a necessary national resource in Australia today?
Where are you already seeing optimism make a difference in your community?
What would your neighbourhood, school, or organisation look like if optimism were its foundation?
How can we shape media, leadership, and education to spread infectious optimism?
What is one action you can take today to be a beacon of optimism for others?