Annual Macroeconomic Snapshot • 2020s
The Australian Economy in 2026
In 2026, Australia’s Estimated Resident Population stood at 27,921,150, real GDP growth averaged 2.3%, annual CPI inflation averaged 4.0% and the unemployment rate averaged 4.4%.
- • The RBA overnight/target cash rate ended 2026 at 4.36%, while 10-year Australian Government bond yields averaged 4.94%.
- • The Australian Dollar averaged US$0.7032 against the US Dollar during 2026.
2026 Economic Indicators at a Glance
% p.a.
Rank #36 of 104 yrs
Inflation (CPI) in 2026
4.0% Long-run avg: 4.0%
+1.2 pp %
Rank #46 of 77 yrs
Unemployment Rate in 2026
4.4% Long-run avg: 4.8%
+0.2 pp % p.a.
Rank #55 of 77 yrs
Real GDP Growth in 2026
2.3% Long-run avg: 3.4%
+0.3 pp Persons
Rank #1 of 126 yrs
Population in 2026
27.92M Long-run avg: 12,689,752
+130,887 % p.a.
Rank #74 of 125 yrs
Population Growth in 2026
1.43% Long-run avg: 1.61%
-0.03 pp % p.a.
Rank #51 of 78 yrs
10-Year Bond Yield in 2026
4.94% Long-run avg: 6.63%
+0.57 pp % p.a.
Rank #33 of 51 yrs
RBA Cash Rate in 2026
4.36% Long-run avg: 6.48%
+0.76 pp US$ per A$1
Rank #51 of 67 yrs
AUD/USD Exchange Rate in 2026
US$0.7032 Long-run avg: US$0.8921
+0.0586 % of disposable income
Rank #41 of 68 yrs
Household Saving Ratio in 2026
6.5% Long-run avg: 9.0%
0.0 pp % of GDP
Rank #29 of 68 yrs
Trade Balance (% GDP) in 2026
-0.6% Long-run avg: -0.5%
-0.9 pp '000 dwellings / month
Rank #43 of 62 yrs
Dwelling Approvals in 2026
135.8k Long-run avg: 152.7
-57.0 % p.a.
Rank #16 of 29 yrs
Wage Growth (WPI) in 2026
3.2% Long-run avg: 3.1%
-0.2 pp 2026 in Context: Preceding & Following Years (2021–2026)
10-year window around 2026 showing how key indicators evolved before and after
Population →
Persons