The Australian Youth Barometer 2025, produced by Monash University’s Centre for Youth Policy and Education Practice (CYPEP), is the fifth annual study of young Australians aged 18–24. It combines surveys (527 participants), interviews, and existing national data to explore youth experiences across economy, work, education, health, relationships, and civic participation
This year’s survey paints a bleak picture, especially pertaining to financial challenges facing Australia’s youth. Distrust in political institutions is also growing, with many feeling unrepresented or unheard.
On economic and financial security, the report notes that 85% of young people report financial difficulties, while 18% face food insecurity.
As expected, housing affordability is a major concern. Only 30% believe they’ll be able to afford a comfortable rental in the next 12 months. Only 42% think they’ll ever purchase property.
Among young people aged 13–28 who rented a property, 73% reported being in rent stress, spending more than 30% of their income on rent. Additionally, 74% of young renters believe they will move out within the next month due to rent stress.
Regarding work & employment, 44% of young people said that they had experienced unemployment in the past year. Secure employment is seen as critical, yet many feel the system is “stacked” against them.
Overall cost of living pressures dominate, with many believing they will be worse off than their parents (79%).
Higher proportions of young people born in Australia (83%) thought they would be financially worse off than their parents compared with those born in other countries (66%).
The results are unsurprising given the material worsening in housing and economic data affecting young people.
Younger Australians have suffered the biggest decline in homeownership rates, while older Australian homeownership rates have remained relatively constant.
Younger Australians are also carrying larger mortgages for longer than earlier generations.
For decades, the real wages of younger Australians have also lagged behind other cohorts:
Chart by Tarric Brooker
This week’s housing affordability data from Cotality rubbed salt into the wounds of younger Australians.
It showed that home values relative to incomes hit an all-time high in the September quarter of 2025:
The share of median household income required to be spent on rent also hit a record high in the September quarter, whereas the share of median household income required to be spent on mortgage repayments on a new loan was tracking just below its all-time high (thanks to the three recent interest rate cuts):
No wonder younger Australians are feeling so miserable. They face a depressing housing and economic future.
