Do you feel a sense of belonging in Australia? New study finds record-low levels

Pedestrian crossing street

A new Scanlon Foundation Research Institute’s Mapping Social Cohesion 2025 report reveals Australia's sense of belonging is at a record low since 2007. Credit: Grant Faint/Getty Images

A new Scanlon Foundation Research Institute’s Mapping Social Cohesion 2025 report reveals that Australians, especially younger generations, feel less connected to the nation than ever before, with economic stress and loneliness driving the decline.


Key Points
  • Millennials’ strong sense of belonging fell from 64% in 2010–2012 to 34% in 2025, while Gen Z recorded the lowest level at 31%.
  • Around 60% of millennials and Gen Z said they feel socially isolated at least some of the time.
  • Financial hardship is a key factor: only 33% of those struggling to pay bills feel a great sense of belonging compared to 58% of financially comfortable Australians.

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