Australia Grapples with Prolonged Economic Slowdown
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.
Australian citizens are currently navigating through an unprecedented economic phase, marked by the most prolonged recession per capita in the nation's history.
This downturn has extended through six consecutive quarters of declining economic output, with a total of seven declines across the last eight quarters.
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.
In the evolving landscape of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) financing in Australia, a significant trend has emerged: brokers are increasingly directing their clients towards non-bank lenders. This shift is primarily driven by the need for faster loan approvals and more streamlined application processes, especially for loans under $500,000. - read more
Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are demonstrating a notable shift in their approach to financing, moving from survival-focused borrowing to strategies aimed at business expansion. This change is evidenced by a 42% year-on-year increase in loan applications during the December quarter of 2025, as reported by non-bank lender OnDeck Australia. - read more
Every small business owner knows that having the right equipment is crucial for success. Whether it's the latest tech for your IT company or heavy machinery for construction, equipment can propel your business to new heights. But, for many Australian entrepreneurs, the upfront cost of these tools can be a major hurdle. - read more
In the fast-paced world of business, securing funding swiftly can be the difference between seizing an opportunity and watching it slip away. For small businesses, the urgency of quick loan approvals is often more pronounced. Each day spent waiting for approval could translate to lost revenue, hindered growth, or the inability to meet operational demands. - read more
Need Help Finding a Loan?
All finance quotes are provided free (via our secure server) and without obligation. We
respect your
privacy.
Knowledgebase
Monetary Policy: The actions of a central bank or other regulatory authority that determine the size and rate of growth of the money supply.
