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In 2022, 57% said New Zealand was Australia’s best friend in the world, and 43% said Japan was Australia’s best friend in Asia.
Australia’s best friends
About the author
Natasha Kassam
Natasha Kassam was Director of the Lowy Institute's Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Program from 2019 to 2022, directing the annual Lowy Institute Poll and researching China’s politics, Taiwan, and Australia-China relations.
When thinking about Australia’s best friend in the world, the majority of Australians (57%) agree that it is New Zealand — a view that has been held firmly since 2017, but that represents an increase of 25 points since the question was first posed in 2014. The United States ranks second as Australia’s best friend, with 26%, an increase of six points since 2019. The United Kingdom comes in third place at 13%. Only 1% say China is Australia’s best friend in the world, an eight-point decline since 2014.
Australians are increasingly likely to name Japan as their best friend in Asia, while the number who see China as a best friend in the region has declined dramatically. Four in ten Australians (43%) say Japan is Australia’s best friend in Asia, an increase of 18 points since 2016. One in five (21%) name Singapore as Australia’s best friend in Asia, an increase of nine points since 2016, and 15% choose Indonesia. The remaining countries receive results in the single digits, with 7% saying India is Australia’s best friend in Asia, and 4% naming South Korea. Only 6% of Australians say China is Australia’s best friend in Asia, a decline of 24 points since 2016.
