2024 has been another challenging year for Australian society, due to ongoing economic uncertainty, a tough housing market, and heightened tensions over global conflicts. While the strength of local communities may be helping to protect wellbeing and harmony, these survey findings show that challenges to social cohesion remain, with some new pressures emerging.

This study investigates community discourses around democracy, with the aim of understanding how different segments of the Australian community talk about democracy.

The Australian Cohesion Index brings together an extraordinary depth of data, knowledge and analysis to provide a robust picture of Australia today. It draws upon the ongoing rigour of the 'Mapping Social Cohesion' study, which has been undertaken since 2007, and is the only ongoing and comprehensive study of social cohesion in the world.