State of Young Australia:
The Wellbeing Report 2025
The largest independent research project on young Australian wellbeing,
surveying over 15,000 Australians aged 18-35.
15,000+
Survey Participants
30+
data points analysed
19
Months of research
Access the Full Report
Get instant access to all findings, methodology, and insights from one
of the largest study on young Australian wellbeing.
KEY FINDINGS
The Numbers tell a story
51%
Feel like they don't belong
More than half of young Australians don't feel they belong to any meaningful community, despite being more "connected" than ever.
73%
School failed them
Nearly three-quarters believe their education didn't prepare them for real adult life, leaving them to figure it out alone.
61%
Chronically Stressed
The majority of young Australians report feeling stressed often or almost always, with no clear path to relief.
40%
Lack financial understanding
Nearly half experience significant stress about money, impacting mental health and life decisions.
49%
Lonely Often
Nearly half report feeling lonely on a regular basis, despite social media making them appear highly connected.
19%
Have nothing to look forward to
Nearly a quater of all particiaptns claim they have nothing to look forward to in their life
METHODOLOGY
How we conducted the research
This research represents the largest independent study on young Australian wellbeing to date. Over 2 years, we collected and analysed data from 15,374 Australians aged 18-35 to understand the real challenges facing this generation.
Survey Design:
The survey was developed based on five years of qualitative research, including:
- 1,500+ in-depth conversations through retreats and workshops
- 130+ podcast interviews exploring themes of connection, purpose, and wellbeing
- Analysis of existing academic literature on youth mental health
- Consultation with mental health professionals and researchers
Data Collection:
Participants were recruited through:
- Social media advertising (Instagram, Facebook)
- Refferals
Demographics
The final sample included:
- 15,374 total participants
- Age range: 18-35 years
- Geographic distribution: Australia (majority Syd, Melb, Bris)
- Gender: 53.4% female, 38.7% male, 5.0% non-binary, 2.8% other
- Age:
- Predominantly aged 20-29 (87%)
- Average age: early-to-mid 20s
- Peak demographic: 20-24 years (61.5%)
IMPACT
What happens next?
This research isn't just about understanding the problem, it's about driving real change. The findings from this report are informing policy recommendations, corporate wellbeing programs, and community initiatives across Australia.
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