Non-academic article

Australians are in more pain – and our new data shows it’s not just due to ageing

Published: 19 Sep 2025

The degree of bodily pain reported by Australians has grown over the last two decades, and this increase cannot be attributed only to an ageing population.

Pain is a serious public health issue and can have devastating consequences for individuals, affecting their ability to have fulfilling relationships, work or look after kids.

The new findings come from the latest Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey Statistical Report, released today. I am part of the team that collects and analyses the data – here’s what we found.

DOI:10.64628/AA.d54qruj3r

Citation

Botha, F. (2025). Australians are in more pain – and our new data shows it’s not just due to ageing. The Conversation. https://doi.org/10.64628/AA.d54qruj3r