Australia undergoing historic decline in support for multiculturalism amid rising fear and pessimism, poll finds
Summary
A recent Lowy Institute poll shows that Australians are losing trust in multiculturalism and feeling more worried about the world and the economy. Trust in the United States and President Donald Trump has dropped sharply, while trust in China has risen, leading to equal levels of distrust for both countries.Key Facts
- Only 31% of Australians trust the United States to act responsibly in the world, the lowest ever recorded.
- Just 20% trust President Donald Trump to do the right thing internationally, matching trust levels for China’s leader Xi Jinping.
- Trust in China increased from 20% to 28%, narrowing the gap with the US since 2022.
- 53% of Australians say they feel unsafe or very unsafe globally, a near record low for feeling secure.
- 59% are pessimistic about Australia’s economy over the next five years, up 12 points from last year.
- Nearly two-thirds of Australians believe risks from artificial intelligence are greater than its benefits.
- Support for multiculturalism dropped 17 points from 90% in 2024 to 73%, still a majority but a historic decline.
- 55% believe the number of migrants coming to Australia is too high, up from 48% in 2024.
- Despite low trust in the US president, 73% support the Australia-US alliance, and 68% back buying US nuclear-powered submarines under the Aukus deal.
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