Estimates from the 2021 Census indicate that around 24,900 Indigenous Australians were homeless on Census night (3.1% of the Indigenous population). The homelessness rate for Indigenous Australians was 8.8 times the rate for non-Indigenous Australians in 2021 (307 compared with 35 per 10,000 population).
This graph shows that the poverty rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is 31%, and that poverty amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is twice as high in very remote communities (54%) as in major cities (24%).
Indigenous people often need to leave their home to access services or to observe cultural obligations. These factors combined with the absence of adequate temporary accommodation, can contribute to homelessness in this population (Keys Young 1998).
Key statistics
Home ownership increased to 42.3% of households in 2021, up from 39.6% in 2016. Four in five people (81.4%) lived in appropriately sized (not overcrowded) dwellings in 2021, up from 78.9% in 2016. The median weekly rent was $300 in 2021, while the median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,721.
122,494 people were estimated to be experiencing homelessness at the time of the 2021 Census, an increase of 6,067 people (5.2%) since 2016. The rate of homelessness decreased to 48 people per 10,000, from 50 in 2016. Of those experiencing homelessness in 2021: 68,516 (55.9%) were male, an increase of 1.6% from 2016.
What is the leading cause of homelessness in Australia? In Australia, domestic and family violence (DFV) is one of the main drivers of homelessness in Australia. Sadly, many children, women and men have experienced or have witnessed abusive and violent behaviour towards a partner, former partner or family member.
Nigeria has the world's highest number of homeless people Although there appears to be a precise number of homeless people, it is impossible to track and quantify those who change their state of “homelessness”. Nigerians frequently migrate from rural areas to large cities in search of shelter, money and opportunity.
Estimates from the 2021 Census indicate that around 24,900 Indigenous Australians were homeless on Census night (3.1% of the Indigenous population). The homelessness rate for Indigenous Australians was 8.8 times the rate for non-Indigenous Australians in 2021 (307 compared with 35 per 10,000 population).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are disproportionately impacted by homelessness, with one in five (20%) of the 116,000 people homeless in Australia identifying as being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent.
Most indicators of poverty and related disadvantage show that Indigenous people are between two and three times worse off than non-Indigenous people in Australia. About 30 per cent of Indigenous households are in income poverty, which indicates that over 120,000 Indigenous people are living below the poverty line.
High unemployment and lasting impacts from colonialism have caused low income in Aboriginal homes. Today, people often find that Aboriginal communities in non-rural areas live off welfare in crowded housing.
Of the total 70,200 urban Canadians who identified as being homeless, 20,358 were found to be of Aboriginal descent. On any given night, 6.97% of all urban Aboriginal people are homeless, compared to 0.78% of the non-Aboriginal population.
African Americans make up 13 percent of the general population, but more than 40 percent of the homeless population. Similarly, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, and people who identify as two or more races make up a disproportionate share of the homeless population.
Indigenous Australians experience disadvantage and inequality across a wide range of measures. Disparity/differences also exist within the Indigenous population—with people living in Remote/Very remote areas faring relatively worse on several measures.
The median gross weekly equivalised household income for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults was $825 in 2021. This ranged from $982 in Major cities to $459 in Very remote areas.
After the last census in 2011, the Australian National University's Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research determined that the number of people who identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander had increased by 20% since 2006. The national census is taken every five years.
Although Indigenous Australians comprise 3 per cent of Australia's population, they are 15 times more likely than non-Indigenous people to be homeless or at risk of homelessness.
A majority of people experiencing homelessness long-term in Australia are found in the large cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. It is estimated that on any given night approximately 116,000 people will be homeless and many more are living in insecure housing, "one step away from being homeless".
Australians known to be at particular risk of homelessness include those who have experienced family and domestic violence, young people, children on care and protection orders, Indigenous Australians, people leaving health or social care arrangements, and Australians aged 55 or older.
What is Australia's homeless population? On Census night in 2021, statistics show 122,494 people were estimated to be experiencing homelessness. That's an increase of 5.2 per cent since the 2016 Census.
Based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) projections, the number of Indigenous Australians in 2021 was estimated to be 881,600. The Indigenous Australian population is projected to reach about 1.1 million people by 2031 (ABS 2019b).
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2023, Nearly 1 in 200 people homeless on Census night in 2021, ABS, viewed 28 July 2023, <https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/nearly-1-200-people-homeless-census-night-2021>.
Homelessness is a severe social issue in China. People go homeless because of natural disasters, migration, and discrimination. China is prone to natural disasters. These unstoppable forces displace many people from their homes.
While there is no definitive answer, some reports have claimed that Japan has a homelessness rate of 0%. We can't state with absolute certainty that those numbers are true and accurate, but if they are, then Japan stands alone in that feat.
Why is Japan's Homeless Population So Low? Worldwide, homelessness results from many factors, including drug addiction, mental health, housing options, education and government decisions. Japan's strict drug laws, mental health systems and housing options contribute to the countries low homeless population.