Australia Grapples with Prolonged Economic Slowdown

4

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
Source: Paige Estritori

Please Note: If this information affects you, seek advice from a licensed professional.

Share this news item:

Finance News

Clear

Snowy River Caravans Introduces Snowy River Finance for Easier Caravan Ownership

22 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

Snowy River Caravans has unveiled Snowy River Finance, a new in-house financing service designed to simplify the caravan purchasing process for Australians. This initiative is available through all 15 Snowy River dealerships nationwide, providing customers with flexible loan terms ranging from two to seven years. - read more

Challenges Mount as Australian Caravan Manufacturers Face Closures

22 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian caravan industry is experiencing significant upheaval, with several manufacturers ceasing operations in recent years. Notably, luxury caravan producer Zone RV entered voluntary administration, leaving hundreds of employees and customers in uncertainty. - read more

National Leisure Finance Enhances Caravan Financing at Melbourne Leisurefest

22 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

National Leisure Finance (NLF) has introduced a range of flexible caravan loan options at the Melbourne Leisurefest, aiming to make caravan ownership more attainable for Australians. Representatives James and Josh engaged with customers and industry partners to showcase how tailored financing solutions can facilitate the purchase of caravans. - read more

Snowy River Caravans Introduces Instant Financing with MONEYME Partnership

14 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

In an exciting development for Australian caravan enthusiasts, Snowy River Caravans has partnered with digital lender MONEYME to offer instant financing options through the Autopay platform. This collaboration aims to streamline the purchasing process, allowing customers to secure financing and drive away with their new caravan in as little as 60 minutes. - read more

Zone RV's Financial Collapse Unveils $40 Million Debt

14 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian caravan industry has been shaken by the recent collapse of luxury manufacturer Zone RV, which has left creditors facing debts totaling approximately $40 million. This development has cast a shadow over the sector, raising concerns about the financial stability of caravan manufacturers. - read more

Click for more Finance News