Public support for multiculturalism in Australia has reached a 22-year low, with 73% of citizens now viewing cultural diversity as a source of national strength, down from 90% in 2024. According to the Lowy Institute’s annual poll, this shift coincides with record levels of economic pessimism and a growing distrust of global superpowers, as 53% of Australians report feeling unsafe in the current geopolitical climate.
Why is Australian sentiment toward multiculturalism shifting?
The decline in support for multiculturalism appears tied to broader anxieties regarding economic stability and social cohesion. Lowy Institute research fellow Charles Lyons-Jones reports that the 17-percentage-point drop in favorability toward diversity reflects a populace that is “deeply unsettled” by global conflicts and domestic economic pressures. While 73% still view multiculturalism as a strength, the sentiment is cooling as migration levels become a central point of contention. According to the survey, 55% of Australians now believe migration numbers are “too high,” a figure that surpasses the previous 2018 peak of 54%.
The 17-percentage-point plunge in support for cultural diversity represents the largest single movement on any societal question in the two-decade history of the Lowy Institute poll.
How do Australians view the US-China power balance?
For the first time in the survey’s history, Australians distrust the United States and China in equal measure. Data shows only 31% of respondents have faith in the US to act responsibly, a significant drop from 2022 when the trust gap between the two nations favored the US by over 50%. Trust in China has risen to 28%, effectively erasing the previous disparity. Despite this erosion of faith in American leadership, the Australia-US security alliance remains stable, with 73% of respondents continuing to support the defense partnership and 68% backing the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine deal.
What is driving the record-high economic pessimism?
Economic anxiety has reached levels higher than those recorded at the onset of the global pandemic. The Lowy Institute survey found that 59% of Australians are pessimistic about the national economy’s performance over the next five years. This represents a 12-percentage-point increase from the previous year and a 22-point jump since 2022. Compounding this gloom is a growing apprehension toward technology; nearly two-thirds of Australians now believe the risks of artificial intelligence outweigh its potential benefits, a sharp 12-point increase in concern since 2024.
Pro Tip: Tracking Geopolitical Shifts
When analyzing public opinion, experts look for the divergence between institutional alliances and individual trust. Even as public confidence in American leadership wanes, the Australian government continues to prioritize the US alliance, acknowledging that an “America First” foreign policy necessitates a pragmatic, if more cautious, diplomatic approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the drop in multiculturalism support mean most Australians oppose it?
No. According to the Lowy Institute, 73% of Australians still believe cultural diversity is a source of strength, even though that number has decreased from previous record highs. - How has trust in the US changed recently?
Trust in the US has fallen to 31%, with only one in five Australians expressing confidence in Donald Trump to act responsibly in global affairs—the same level of trust reported for Chinese leader Xi Jinping. - Is the AUKUS submarine deal still popular?
Yes. Despite general distrust in US leadership, 68% of Australians surveyed continue to support the $368bn AUKUS agreement.
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