Mapping social cohesion 2024

2024 has been another challenging year for Australian society, due to ongoing economic uncertainty, a tough housing market, and heightened tensions over global conflicts. While the strength of local communities may be helping to protect wellbeing and harmony, these survey findings show that challenges to social cohesion remain, with some new pressures emerging.

Key findings

- Overall social cohesion has been stable over the last 12 months, but is below its long term average.

- in a divided world, attitudes to migration and multiculturalism remain largely positive but have declined from peaks in recent years.

- People are more divided on the number of immigrants coming to ustralia but strongly support non-discriminatory migration policy including for people arriving from conflict zones.

- Growing belief that immigration is too high is most strongly related to economic and housing issues, rather than attitudes to diversity, multiculturalism and migrants.

- The conflict in the Middle East and other events coincide with greater pressure on interfaith relations.

- Cost of living pressures continue to impact financial, personal and social wellbeing.

- Australians have a high degree of trust in community and public services and weaker trust in government and media.

- While important to democracy and social cohesion, political activism and protest highlight – and likely exaggerate – divisions and divides in Australia.

- Australians remain connected and engaged within their communities, though they are feeling somewhat less safe.

- National and global challenges put pressure on social cohesion, but also demonstrate its importance in supporting personal and social wellbeing and connections when it is most needed.