Australia · economy dashboard
As at 13 October 2026 · official data unless labelled
How is the economy doing?
Seven sections, each led by the number economists watch, with the indicators that explain it alongside. Every reading is official data, judged against its target where there is one and otherwise against its own ten-year average. 1 of 7 headline readings is on target or better than usual. Open any section or number for what it means and how Australia compares.
Growth & living standards
Is the economy growing faster than the population it supports?3 of 4 under pressureGDP per personJune quarter 2026FlatBelow its 10-year average▲ 0.1 pts10-year average 0.18%Jobs & wages
Is everyone who wants work finding it, and are wages keeping up with prices?1 of 4 under pressureUnemploymentAugust 20264.65%Above its average since September 2021▲ 0.16 ptsaverage since September 2021 4.03%Prices & inflation
Is inflation back in the RBA's 2–3 per cent target band?4 of 4 under pressureUnderlying inflationAugust 20263.6%Above the 2–3% targetunchangedtarget 2–3%Interest rates & credit
How tight is monetary policy, and how fast is borrowing growing?1 of 3 under pressureCash rate30 September 20264.6%Above its 10-year average▲ 0.25 pts10-year average 2.39%Housing & household finances
How stretched are households by their mortgages and debts?0 of 3 under pressureRepayment burdenMarch quarter 20269.4%Above its 10-year averageunchanged10-year average 8.27%Population
How fast is the population growing, and why?0 of 5 under pressurePopulation growthMarch quarter 20261.43%Near its 10-year average▼ 0.03 pts10-year average 1.49%What's driving it
Population increasevs 10-year average 380,425392,800▼ 1.6%Net migrationvs 10-year average 257,673292,100▼ 2.2%Natural increasevs 10-year average 128,023100,600▲ 0.3%Populationvs 10-year average 25,933,41327,921,200▲ 0.5%Migration per personvs 10-year average 8.07 per 1,0008.8 per 1,000▼ 1.7%Public finances
How much does government borrow, tax and spend, compared with other rich countries?0 of 2 under pressureGovernment debt202559.6%Better than the OECD medianOECD median 67.9%Australia Inc.: the country's profit and loss →
The national accounts read as a business: what the country earns, pays abroad, spends and keeps, and how it pays for its investment
On target or better than usualWorse than usualOutside the target bandA level, neither better nor worseBars show how far each reading sits from its benchmark: left of centre below it, right above it. See also the quality of life dashboard.