For more than two decades, the Lowy Institute’s flagship annual poll has revealed how Australians feel about the world and their place in it. The 2026 Poll reports the results of a nationally representative survey of 2,013 Australian residents aged 18 and above, conducted from 2–15 March 2026.

Issues

• Global powers and world leaders
• Relations in the Indo-Pacific
• Safety and threats
• Defence and security
• Economic security
• Climate change
• Societal issues.

Key findings

• Australians place high levels of trust in liberal democracies and the United Nations. For the sixth year running, Japan is the most trusted power. 
• For the fourth year in a row, respondents listed ‘cyberattacks from other countries’ as the leading threat to Australia.
• 59% of Australians say they are pessimistic about Australia’s economic performance over the next five years. 
• Australians are divided on the benefits of achieving net zero.
• Three-quarters of Australians say democracy is preferable to any other form of government.
• A clear majority of Australians (64%) say the risks of artificial intelligence outweigh the benefits.
• 55% of Australians say the total number of migrants coming to Australia is ‘too high’.
• Support for cultural diversity has softened among the Australian public. 

The report is provided with an interactive website explorer.