Trade union density rate in Australia
Australia: Trade union density rate was 13.66 in 2018. ▼ Falling
Trade union density rate in Australia, 2000–2018
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for trade union density rate in Australia is 13.66, measured in 2018. That is the lowest value across all 18 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 6.2% on the previous year and down 31.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, trade union density rate in Australia peaked at 26.48 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 13.66, in 2018.
That places Australia 53rd out of 86 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 18 years of available data.
Trade union density rate in Australia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 26.48 | — |
| 2001 | 26.2 | -1.1% |
| 2002 | 24.7 | -5.7% |
| 2003 | 24.71 | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 24.05 | -2.7% |
| 2005 | 24.01 | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 21.8 | -9.2% |
| 2007 | 19.95 | -8.5% |
| 2008 | 19.99 | +0.2% |
| 2009 | 20.92 | +4.7% |
| 2010 | 19.69 | -5.9% |
| 2011 | 19.72 | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 19.57 | -0.8% |
| 2013 | 18.22 | -6.9% |
| 2014 | 16.35 | -10.3% |
| 2015 | 16.63 | +1.7% |
| 2016 | 14.55 | -12.5% |
| 2018 | 13.66 | -6.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 23.28 | 19.95 | 26.48 | 10 |
| 2010s | 17.3 | 13.66 | 19.72 | 8 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More work & labour data for Australia
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.5057 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.4907 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.5202 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.9895 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.8931 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 30,186 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 3,001 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 21,642 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 21,502 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 43,144 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is trade union density rate in Australia?
- Trade union density rate in Australia was 13.66 in 2018, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest trade union density rate recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 26.48 in 2000.
- What is the lowest trade union density rate recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 13.66 in 2018.
- How does Australia rank for trade union density rate?
- Australia ranks 53rd out of 86 countries with data for 2018.
- Is trade union density rate rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 31.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Trade union density rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 18 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
A trade union is defined as a workers' organization constituted for the purpose of furthering and defending the interests of workers. This trade union density rate conveys the number of union members who are employees as a percentage of the total number of employees. For the purpose of this indicator in particular, trade union membership excludes union members who are not in paid employment (self-employed, unemployed, retired, etc.), unless otherwise stated in the notes. The statistics presented in this table result from an ILO data compilation effort (including an annual questionnaire and numerous special enquiries), with contributions from J. Visser. For more information, refer to the Industrial Relations data (IRdata) database description.