Salvos reveal the hidden cost of Christmas
1 in 5 Australians sacrifice healthcare - Millions going without food - 1 in 10 fear their children will go hungry
The Salvation Army has delivered a devastating snapshot of the festive season, with new research showing 21% of Australians are concerned their children will miss out on presents this Christmas, over 1 in 10 (11%) worried their kids would miss out on food, and a shocking 1.1 million people (5%) will not speak to their children about Christmas at all because they can’t afford it.*
The research also shows 20% of all Australians will be going without medical help (e.g doctors’ appointments) and over 4.2 million people (19%) going without food in order to afford Christmas this year.
“Christmas is a wonderful time of year for so many, but for some, it can be extremely difficult and stressful. Our research reflects this, with everyday Aussies having to choose between medication, utilities, food or having a special Christmas for themselves and their children. This breaks our heart, but also reminds us of the incredible privilege it is as The Salvation Army to support and stand alongside those doing it tough during the festive season,” said Commissioner Mark Campbell from The Salvation Army.
Indeed, 10.8 million Australians (49%) are concerned about how they will afford Christmas this year, with 35% saying they will use credit cards and 16% using buy-now, pay-later to pay for Christmas, highlighting the extreme pressures people are facing. Further, 3 in 5 people (60%) were negatively impacted by the cost of living this year and 11% went without meals in the last 12 months.
After being asked what their biggest challenge would be this Christmas, one respondent said, “Paying bills and finding extra to spend on special food and gifts. It will be a struggle and in the new year I will have more debt I can’t pay.”
Another respondent said their biggest challenge was “Feeling bad that I can’t afford to buy everyone gifts, and the ones I do buy for will be getting less this year than before.”
The research also found that more than 1.7 million Australians (8%) will be reaching out to a charity this Christmas, with half of them (50%) doing so for the first time. This research coincides with The Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Appeal, which aims to raise $29 million to support those doing it tough during the festive season.
The Salvation Army’s research was conducted by Pureprofile and surveyed 2,005 people, discovering a further:
- 45% of Australians feel pressure to spend more than they can afford at Christmas
- 1 in 4 (25%) will struggle to pay for utilities this Christmas
- 25% won’t be able to see their family and friends this Christmas due to financial concerns
- 9% are concerned their children will miss out on basic living necessities this Christmas
“These statistics are extremely troubling. It is important to remember that behind every number is a real person, with a real story, and a real need which the Salvos can support with at Christmas. The Australian public has always been generous when we see our fellow Aussies doing it tough, and we are urging them once again to please give generously to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal this year. Together, we can be the hope that people desperately need this Christmas,” added Commissioner Campbell.
During the Christmas period last year, thanks to the generosity of the Australian public, The Salvation Army nationally:
- received over 350,000 gifts and toys for families who might otherwise have gone without,
- provided over 177,000 meals to those experiencing homelessness,
- and provided more than 89,000 bed nights for families in need of accommodation during the festive season.**
To be the hope this Christmas, please donate to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal by visiting salvationarmy.org.au or calling 13 SALVOS (13 72 58). You can also make donations at any Salvos Store.
ENDS
For more information, please contact The Salvation Army’s Media Relations Department on (02) 94663143
*A Pureprofile survey for The Salvation Army surveyed 2,005 people in a nationally representative sample size and this has been extrapolated to reflect the general Australian population. Extrapolated numbers are based on the estimated Australian population aged 18 and older, 22,189,796 based on ABS data as seen here https://www.ibisworld.com/australia/bed/population-aged-18-and-older/15015/
** The Salvation Army, Christmas data summary report September 2025
