People with more negative than positive feelings

14.9%Worse than the OECD medianunchanged2025vs OECD median 12.5%

What the numbers are telling us

The share of people with more negative than positive feelings was 14.9% in 2025, unchanged on the previous reading (14.9%).

It is above its 10-year average of 13.1%, which is a worse reading than usual.

Across 38 OECD countries (2025), Australia ranks 30th best of 38 on negative feelings, above the median of 12.5%.

Why it matters

The share whose recent days held more worry, sadness or anger than enjoyment.

What it should be

There is no official target, so Australia is judged against comparable countries: lower than the OECD median is better. The OECD median is 12.5%.

Negative feelings: the last 15 readings

People with more negative than positive feelings, 2011 to 2025

Source: OECD, How's Life? Current well-being (OECD WISE).

Australia ranks 30th best of 38 OECD countries

Negative feelings, 2025; OECD median 12.5%

Switzerland7.23

Luxembourg7.29

Iceland7.95

Mexico7.95

Japan8.1

Austria9

Poland9.32

Ireland9.52

Denmark9.74

Finland9.79

Costa Rica9.88

Australia14.85

Source: OECD and World Bank cross-country series as stored.

Every figure on this page is calculated from the stored official series (OECD, How's Life? Current well-being (OECD WISE)); the summary is written from the numbers, not edited by hand.