Societal issues
Democracy
A large majority of Australians (72%) see democracy as preferable to any other kind of government, remaining near a record high set in 2022 (74%). The number who say ‘in some circumstances, a non-democratic government can be preferable’ remained steady at 18%. Fewer than one in ten Australians (9%) continue to say ‘it doesn’t matter what kind of government we have’.
A longstanding age gap in answers to this question has widened slightly again over the past two years. Younger Australians aged 18–44 (65%) are less likely than older Australians aged over 45 (79%) to say democracy is preferable to any other kind of government — a 14-point gap that has widened by five points since 2022.
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.
- 0%
- 20%
- 40%
- 60%
- 80%
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 2024 Methodology.
Immigration
Immigration and border protection policy continue to be among the most contested issues in Australia’s political debate. In 2024, public attitudes regarding Australia’s immigration intake appear remarkably consistent with pre-pandemic sentiment.
Almost half the population (48%) say the total number of migrants coming to Australia each year is ‘too high’, while the other half (50%) either think immigration levels are ‘about right’ (40%) or ‘too low’ (10%). These results are mostly steady from the last time this question was asked in 2019.
Immigration rate
Thinking now about Australia’s immigration program. Do you personally think that the total number of migrants coming to Australia each year is too high, too low or about right?
- 0%
- 10%
- 20%
- 30%
- 40%
- 50%
- 60%
Indicates change in mode: see 2024 Methodology.
Cultural diversity
While Australians are roughly divided in their views about the current migration intake, they are overwhelmingly positive about Australia’s cultural diversity, a product of decades of immigration. Nine in ten (90%) think Australia’s culturally diverse population has been either ‘mostly positive’ (69%) or ‘entirely positive’ (21%) for Australia. Only a very small minority (9%) say the country’s culturally diverse population has been ‘mostly negative’, and almost none (1%) say it has been ‘entirely negative’.
Cultural diversity
For several decades, Australia has been open to people from all over the world. Overall, do you think Australia’s culturally diverse population has been: