People with someone to count on

89.7%Worse than the OECD medianunchanged2025vs OECD median 90.5%

What the numbers are telling us

The share of people with someone to count on was 89.7% in 2025, unchanged on the previous reading (89.7%).

It is below its 10-year average of 92.4%, which is a worse reading than usual.

Across 38 OECD countries (2025), Australia ranks 21st best of 38 on social support, below the median of 90.5%.

Why it matters

Having friends or relatives to rely on in times of trouble protects against isolation.

What it should be

There is no official target, so Australia is judged against comparable countries: higher than the OECD median is better. The OECD median is 90.5%.

Social support: the last 15 readings

People with someone to count on, 2011 to 2025

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

Australia ranks 21st best of 38 OECD countries

Social support, 2025; OECD median 90.5%

Iceland97.66

Finland94.75

Denmark94.6

Norway94.45

Hungary94.07

Slovenia93.12

Slovak Republic92.91

Estonia92.83

Czechia92.73

New Zealand92.63

Sweden92.46

Australia89.72

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.