Australia Grapples with Prolonged Economic Slowdown

4

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in its recent economic outlook, revised Australia's GDP growth projection for 2024 downwards-from an anticipated 1.5% growth to a more conservative 1.1%. Looking further ahead, it forecasts a gradual recovery with an expected GDP increase of 1.8% by 2025.

Despite these projections, Australia's population growth of 2.4% for the year ending June 2024 tends to exacerbate the per capita recession, hinting that this economic hardship might persist beyond previous expectations. The ramifications of these economic conditions are predominately felt by average households.

The Reserve Bank of Australia's steadfast approach in raising interest rates has placed a substantial burden on household budgets. This has led to a 2.4% reduction in household consumption from its apex in real per capita terms.

More noticeably, real per capita household disposable income plunged by an unprecedented 8% from its earlier highs. This constitutes the steepest decline observed in contemporary economic analysis according to recent statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

August figures from the ABS Household Spending Indicator reported stagnant spending in nominal terms, succeeding prior decreases of 0.5% in July and 0.1% in June. Robert Ewing, head of business statistics at ABS, observed, "Growth in household spending has stalled at the start of the financial year, even as the Federal government's Stage 3 tax cuts came into effect on 1 July".

An analytical depiction by Justin Fabo from Antipodean Macro, matched ABS Household Spending Indicator data with household consumption figures from quarterly national accounts. The analysis suggests a persisting frailty in these accounts throughout Q3, indicating that the current recession per capita is far from over.

The new policies, including the Stage 3 tax cuts designed to boost economic engagement and consumer spending, appear to have offered limited relief as the economy remains dormant. Acknowledging information from the original source, The OECD Digest, it's evident that while several measures are in play, the anticipated economic rejuvenation remains elusive.

Published:Tuesday, 8th Oct 2024
Source: Paige Estritori

Please Note: If this information affects you, seek advice from a licensed professional.

Share this news item:

Finance News

Clear

Australian Mortgage Market Reaches Record $2.41 Trillion

10 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

In November 2025, Australia's mortgage market achieved a new milestone, with the total value of residential mortgages reaching $2.41 trillion. This record-breaking figure reflects a 0.67% increase from the previous month and a 6.36% rise over the past year, as reported by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). - read more

Australian Homeowners Embrace Refinancing Amid Rate Cuts

10 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian mortgage market has witnessed a significant surge in refinancing activity, with nearly 100,000 loans refinanced in the June 2025 quarter. This marks the highest level since September 2023 and reflects homeowners' proactive responses to recent interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). - read more

Major Australian Lenders Tighten Policies on Trust and Company Lending

10 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

In a significant shift within Australia's financial sector, major lenders Macquarie Bank and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) have recently implemented stricter policies regarding lending to trusts and companies. These changes reflect a broader trend towards more cautious lending practices in response to regulatory concerns and market dynamics. - read more

RBA Reports Significant Surge in Business and Home Lending

10 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent data from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) indicates a notable acceleration in both business and home lending, challenging earlier predictions of a potential slowdown. As of December 2024, business credit growth reached 8.9%, marking the highest rate since May 2023. Similarly, investor housing credit surged to 5.1%, achieving its highest rate since December 2022. - read more

Renown Lending Boosts SME Funding Pool to $400 Million

10 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

In a significant move to bolster support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Australia, Renown Lending has announced an expansion of its funding pool from $250 million to $400 million. This substantial increase aims to provide fast and flexible financing solutions to businesses nationwide, addressing the growing demand for accessible funding options. - read more

Click for more Finance News