Question Democracy

Now a question about democracy. Below are some statements about democracy. Please indicate which one of the three statements comes closest to your own personal views about democracy.

  1. 0%
  2. 20%
  3. 40%
  4. 60%
  5. 80%
60596065616062657174737274 23262418242020221618191815 15131315121615121177910
  1. 2013
  2. 2015
  3. 2017
  4. 2019
  5. 2021
  6. 2023
  7. 2025

In 2020, this question was fielded in a separate Lowy Institute nationwide poll in November 2020: see 2021 Methodology for more information.
Indicates change in mode: see 2025 Methodology.

  • Democracy is preferable to any other kind of government
  • In some circumstances, a non-democratic government can be preferable
  • For someone like me, it doesn’t matter what kind of government we have
Total
All groups

Observation

Three-quarters of Australians (74%) see democracy as preferable to any other kind of government, equalling a record high in 2022. The number who say ‘in some circumstances, a non-democratic government can be preferable’ fell three points to 15%. One in ten Australians (10%) continue to say ‘it doesn’t matter what kind of government we have’.

There has been a longstanding age gap in response to this question. Younger Australians (67% of those aged 18–44) are less likely than older Australians (80% of those aged over 45) to say democracy is preferable to any other kind of government — a 13-point gap. The persistence of an age gap since 2012 indicates preference for democracy is associated with a stage of life rather than a particular generation.

Data

Compare different demographics, years, categories, and responses.

Demographic

Year

Response

Share this page