Guardian Essential poll: financial woes trigger frustration with Albanese and mistrust in institutions

Negative perceptions of the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, have increased this year, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll. Photograph: AAP

A majority of Australians (57%) say they are either financially struggling or facing serious difficulty, with the final Guardian Essential poll of the year pointing to a gloomy outlook for 2024.

While the last poll for 2023 shows Australians are heavily preoccupied with cost-of-living concerns – the data also reveals trust in institutions has taken a significant hit since a rebound tracked at the peak of the pandemic response in 2020 and 2021.