Measure
Analysis
Australia is a middle power in Asia.
Its score increased by 0.1 points in 2022, a slight improvement on 2021, making Australia one of just six countries in the region to register an upward change in its overall score.
Australia performs best in defence networks, where it places second, though this score declined in 2022 due to relatively fewer defence dialogues being convened throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2022, Australia saw its greatest improvement in its diplomatic influence measure, which rose to fifth. Australia’s rising diplomatic influence score reflects greater confidence by experts surveyed in the ability of the new Albanese Labor government to advance Australia’s interests, as compared to the previous Morrison Coalition government.
Australia exerts more influence in the region than expected given its available resources, as indicated by the country’s positive power gap score.
Read more analysis in the Key Findings report. Explore further results in the Scores section.
Annual changes
Bilateral Influence
Bilateral trade, current dollars (2020)
Countries that influence Australia
Globally, which countries does Australia do most of its trade with?
Countries influenced by Australia
Which countries in the region rely most on trade with Australia?
Scores
Comprehensive power
A country’s weighted average across eight measures of power
6th
—
30.9
Rank
Change
Trend
Score
Economic capability
Economic size and attributes with the most geopolitical relevance
9th
12.3
Military capability
Conventional military strength
7th
+1
26.0
Resilience
Capacity to deter real or potential threats to state stability
5th
45.2
Future resources
Projected distribution of future economic, military and demographic resources
9th
10.5
Economic relationships
The capacity to exercise influence and leverage through economic interdependencies
6th
20.1
Defence networks
Defence partnerships that act as force multipliers of military capability
2nd
63.0
Diplomatic influence
The extent and standing of a state’s foreign relations
5th
+2
61.9
Cultural influence
Ability to shape international public opinion through cultural appeal and interaction
5th
31.5