Australians less satisfied with life than during pandemic lockdowns

KPMG analysis of ABS data reveals growing financial pressure is causing lower life satisfaction levels in Australians today than during the pandemic.

Growing financial pressure is causing lower life satisfaction levels amongst Australians today than lockdowns did during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to KPMG analysis of ABS data. Overall life satisfaction, based on asking people on a scale of 1-10 has fallen to 7.1 in 2025, down from 7.2 in 2020, when lockdowns and widespread restrictions were in place. This marks a notable decline from the pre-pandemic level of 7.5 in 2019, and a broader easing from the relatively stable...

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Authors: Terry Rawnsley

Published Date: 11 June 2026