Australia Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
Australia's poverty rate was 1.00% in 2020, ranked 40th globally. This represents a 100.0% increase from 2019. Data from World Bank, covering 1981–2020.
Overview
Australia's poverty rate stood at 1.00% in 2020, a rise of +0.50pp from 2018. Australia ranked 40th globally.
Australia’s poverty rate has remained remarkably stable over the 13‑year series recorded by the World Bank, holding at 1.00 % in the latest year, 2020, which also represents the all‑time peak for the period. The trough occurred in 2010 when the rate fell to 0.30 %, after which it gradually rose back to the current level. Compared with peer economies, Australia’s rate is slightly higher than Israel’s 0.70 % and lower than Italy’s 0.90 % and Spain’s 1.10 %, indicating a middle‑of‑the‑pack performance among comparable advanced nations. The persistence of a one‑percent poverty incidence suggests that recent policy measures have been insufficient to sustain the low levels seen a decade earlier, while demographic shifts and labour‑market pressures could impede further reductions. Continued investment in affordable housing, social safety nets and targeted employment programs will be crucial if Australia hopes to push the poverty rate below its 2010 trough and improve its standing relative to peers.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1.00% | +0.50pp | #40 |
| 2018 | 0.50% | +0.00pp | #32 |
| 2016 | 0.50% | +0.00pp | #29 |
| 2014 | 0.50% | +0.20pp | #27 |
| 2010 | 0.30% | −0.40pp | #23 |
| 2008 | 0.70% | +0.00pp | #35 |
| 2004 | 0.70% | −0.30pp | #24 |
| 2003 | 1.00% | +0.00pp | #25 |
| 2001 | 1.00% | +0.00pp | #13 |
| 1995 | 1.00% | +0.30pp | #16 |
| 1989 | 0.70% | −0.30pp | #9 |
| 1985 | 1.00% | +0.00pp | #8 |
| 1981 | 1.00% | – | #6 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Australia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw poverty rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
The provided headlines offer limited direct information regarding Australia's poverty rate of 1.00%. However, a Commonwealth report warning of US$118 billion spent to roll back women
Frequently Asked Questions
Australia's poverty rate was 1.00% in 2020. Ranked 40th globally. This represents a 100.0% increase from the previous year.
Australia's poverty rate peaked at 1.00% in 1981.
The lowest poverty rate in Australia was 0.30% in 2010.
Australia ranks 40th globally in poverty rate as of 2020.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
The poverty rate of Australia in 2020 was 1.00%. This ranks 40th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_australia_poverty-rate,
title = {Australia Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/australia/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}