Although the Organisation for Economic and Social Development (OECD) uses the 50% median income poverty line, differences in research methodology mean that the results are close to but not identical to those reported in this website for Australia.
2021 or latest data
This graph shows poverty rates among the Organisation for Economic and Social Development (OECD) countries in 2021 (or latest data), using the 50% median income poverty line. The OECD’s estimate for the overall rate of poverty in Australia according to this graph is 12.6% (compared with our estimate for 2019-20 of 13.4%). This makes Australia’s poverty rate the 15th highest among the 38 OECD countries.
2017-18
This graph shows poverty rates among the Organisation for Economic and Social Development (OECD) countries in 2016, using the 50% median income poverty line. The OECD’s estimate for the overall rate of poverty in Australia according to this graph is 12.1% (compared with our estimate for 2017-18 of 13.6%). This makes Australia’s poverty rate the 16th highest of the OECD countries.
2015-16
This graph shows poverty rates among the Organisation for Economic and Social Development (OECD) countries in 2014-15, using the 50% median income poverty line. The OECD’s estimate for the overall rate of poverty in Australia according to this graph is 12.8% (compared with our estimate for 2015-16 of 13.2%). This makes Australia’s poverty rate the 14th highest of the OECD countries.