Reported Social Unrest Index in Australia
Australia: Reported Social Unrest Index was 186.88 in 2026. ◆ Volatile
Reported Social Unrest Index in Australia, 1990–2026
Source: International Monetary Fund.
Analysis
Australia recorded 186.88 for reported social unrest index in 2026.
That represents a change of down 65.7% on the previous year and up 62.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, reported social unrest index in Australia peaked at 544.79 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1990.
Australia ranks 23rd of 133 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Reported Social Unrest Index in Australia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 16.05 | — |
| 1994 | 0 | -100.0% |
| 1995 | 27.1 | — |
| 1996 | 23.53 | -13.2% |
| 1997 | 64.27 | +173.2% |
| 1998 | 30.83 | -52.0% |
| 1999 | 7.9 | -74.4% |
| 2000 | 15.83 | +100.5% |
| 2001 | 30.97 | +95.6% |
| 2002 | 168.03 | +442.6% |
| 2003 | 32.67 | -80.6% |
| 2004 | 26.01 | -20.4% |
| 2005 | 227.28 | +773.8% |
| 2006 | 43.05 | -81.1% |
| 2007 | 69.89 | +62.4% |
| 2008 | 18.64 | -73.3% |
| 2009 | 115.52 | +519.9% |
| 2010 | 95.34 | -17.5% |
| 2011 | 112.9 | +18.4% |
| 2012 | 14.35 | -87.3% |
| 2013 | 0 | -100.0% |
| 2014 | 94.31 | — |
| 2015 | 82.35 | -12.7% |
| 2016 | 115.16 | +39.8% |
| 2017 | 223.49 | +94.1% |
| 2018 | 274.29 | +22.7% |
| 2019 | 401.07 | +46.2% |
| 2020 | 131.17 | -67.3% |
| 2021 | 248.98 | +89.8% |
| 2022 | 245.66 | -1.3% |
| 2023 | 117.52 | -52.2% |
| 2024 | 89.54 | -23.8% |
| 2025 | 544.79 | +508.4% |
| 2026 | 186.88 | -65.7% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 186.88 is above the median for high income countries, which is 32.28, 5.8× the median. (46 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Reported Social Unrest Index in Australia changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | +773.8% | 26.01 | 227.28 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 16.97 | 0 | 64.27 | 10 |
| 2000s | 74.79 | 15.83 | 227.28 | 10 |
| 2010s | 141.33 | 0 | 401.07 | 10 |
| 2020s | 223.51 | 89.54 | 544.79 | 7 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More economy & growth data for Australia
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 1.36 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 2.26 Percent per annum (2029)
- IMF holdings of currency, SDR, annual growth rate -2.08 % change on previous year (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0027 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, SDR, per capita 176.87 units per person (2025)
- Lending to the IMF (GRA), SDR, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- SDR Allocation, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.01 % change on previous year (2025)
- SDR Allocation, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0071 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- SDR Allocation, US dollar, per capita 465.31 units per person (2025)
- SDR Allocation, SDR, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is reported social unrest index in Australia?
- Reported social unrest index in Australia was 186.88 in 2026, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest reported social unrest index recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 544.79 in 2025.
- What is the lowest reported social unrest index recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1990.
- How does Australia rank for reported social unrest index?
- Australia ranks 23rd out of 133 countries with data for 2026.
- Is reported social unrest index rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 62.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Reported Social Unrest Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 37 observations, free to reuse under IMF Terms and Conditions (attribution required).
About this data
This dataset provides two measures of social unrest derived from media reports. One is the “A” index from the paper, and the “events” series. Suggested citation: "Barrett, P., Appendino, M., Nguyen, K., & de Leon Miranda, J. (2022). Measuring social unrest using media reports. Journal of Development Economics, 158, 102924." Note: some sources mis-label China and Hong Kong SAR. Series which explicitly adjust for this are available on request from the authors.