Australia Grapples with Prolonged Economic Slowdown

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
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Finance News

Clear

Rising Age of First Homebuyers Highlights Affordability Challenges

31 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent data reveals a notable shift in the demographics of Australian first homebuyers, with the average age now standing at 34. This trend underscores the growing challenges associated with housing affordability and the complexities of entering the property market. - read more

Mortgage Brokers Expand Market Share in Westpac's Home Loan Portfolio

31 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

Mortgage brokers are playing an increasingly significant role in the Australian home loan market, particularly within Westpac's portfolio. Recent figures indicate that brokers now account for 55.6% of the bank's home loan originations, up from 52.7% the previous year. - read more

bikesales Joins Forces with ASBK and ProMX for 2026 Championships

30 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

bikesales, Australia's leading marketplace for new and used motorcycles, has announced its sponsorship of the 2026 Penrite Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) and Penrite ProMX Championship. This collaboration aligns bikesales with Motorcycling Australia's premier road racing and motocross events, placing the brand at the forefront of the nation's motorcycle racing scene. - read more

End of an Era: Australian MotoGP to Depart Phillip Island After 2026

30 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

After nearly three decades at the iconic Phillip Island circuit, the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix is set to relocate following the 2026 event. The Victorian government confirmed it would not grant the event organiser's request to move the race to Melbourne's Albert Park, leading to the decision to move the event out of Victoria. - read more

Australian Home Loan Sizes Hit Record Highs in 2026

30 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent data indicates that Australian home loan sizes have reached unprecedented levels. For owner-occupiers, the average loan size has climbed to a record $736,259, marking a 6.1% increase month-on-month and a 10.5% rise compared to the previous year. First home buyers are also borrowing more, with the average loan reaching $607,624, up 8.5% from the previous month and 11.8% year-on-year. - read more

Click for more Finance News