New Data Shows High Period Poverty Figures Across the Nation
The Impact of Periods on the Economy, Education, Health and Sport Unveiled.
New research from the world’s largest survey on experiences, attitudes and insights on menstruation, unveils startling figures on the issue of period poverty across the nation. The data includes shocking revelations that 64 per cent of Australian menstruators have found it difficult to buy period products and close to 30 per cent have worn a tampon for more than four hours, due to cost.
Surveying 153,620 people, The Bloody Big Survey is run every three years by not-for-profit organisation, Share the Dignity – its aim to monitor the physical, social and financial impacts of menstruation and whether period poverty rates have improved over time.
The report, which is informed by early access to data analytics platform WhyHive and written by Dr Jane Connory of Swinburne University of Technology, found periods are having a significant effect on the lives of many Australians, including work, education, sport and health.
Share the Dignity founder and managing director, Rochelle Courtenay expressed deep concern over the findings and said it was alarming to see how many Australians have experienced period poverty.
“I had hoped to see a significant drop in the effects of period poverty when compared to our last survey in 2021, but it is just as high showing that our governments need to act now to ensure basic dignity for Australians.”
“I have seen so many stories shared through the survey about people’s experiences with period poverty, with some people having used tea towels, or tote bags to try and manage their period with dignity, which is unacceptable here in Australia. The Bloody Big Survey is vital to ensure we have the data to validate every heartbreaking experience we have heard with period poverty since we started nine years ago so we can advocate for change.”
Key findings from The Bloody Big Survey include:
The Economic Cost
- Missed work due to periods costs Australian business an estimated $9.6 Billion annually
- 56% of respondents have missed work due to their period
- 1 in 3 of these respondents said the reason was fear of leaking
“These figures are quite astonishing, and I hope will help shine a light on this issue in workplaces across the nation,” says Courtenay. “We need businesses to provide free access to period products so we can improve productivity and negate this heavy cost to the economy.”
The Impact on Education
- 63% of respondents have missed school due to their period.
- 11 is the average number of days school missed per year
- 25% of school students have worn a tampon for more than 4 hours, due to cost
- Over 77% of university and TAFE students have found it difficult to buy period products
- The number of university and TAFE students who had to improvise on period products due to cost, increased from 19% in 2021 to 25% in 2024.
- 36% of university and TAFE students have worn a tampon for more than 4 hours, due to cost
“Since our last Bloody Big Survey in 2021, every state and territory in Australia now mandates free period products in State schools with close to 22% of those surveyed, saying they had accessed Dignity Vending Machines”, Courtenay said.
“But our research shows that we need to see universities and TAFEs better equipped to ensure our students can manage their period with dignity. Being a student is hard enough without the added burden of period poverty.”
Sports & Periods Are Still an Uncomfortable Pairing
- 68% of respondents have missed sport due to their period
- 76.5% missed sport due to fear of leaking
- 64.5% was due to period pain
- 24.7% was due to mood/emotions
Courtenay says, “In sports, we are beginning to see uniforms change, to allow women to wear more period friendly colours. Women are talking about periods in the locker rooms and even coaches are finally beginning to understand the importance of menstruation, not only to women’s health, but also to personal performance. But more must be done to educate women and give them access to period products so they can enjoy participating in sport at every level.”
The Impact on Health
- Approximately 1 in 4 are wearing a tampon or pad for more than 4 hours due to cost.
- 96,000 respondents (63%) reported having been diagnosed with low iron levels or iron deficiency.
- Added together 67.6% of women have moderately painful, very painful or severely painful periods.
- Over 46% have a medical condition related to their period and these people miss double the school, work and sports compared to those without a medical condition.
“We can see that those with a medical condition related to their period are more severely impacted than others,” says Courtenay. “Added to this is the fact they spend double on period management, averaging $20 per month compared to $10 – we need to support those with period related medical issues through easier access to period products and care.”
Period Poverty Across the Nation
- 5% were unable to afford period products in the last 12 months
- 5% of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people were unable to afford period products in the last 12 months—in comparison to 6.9% of non-Indigenous people
- One-third of those that experienced period poverty, experienced some sort of violence (domestic, relationship or family)
- Gender diverse folks are disproportionately affected by period poverty with 83% experiencing period poverty
- 78% of people with a disability found it difficult to purchase period products
- Tasmania is shown to have the highest instance of period poverty among Australia’s states and territories and Australia’s Capital Territory (ACT) has the least.
- 82.7% of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people have found it difficult to afford period products
- ACT has the highest rate of period poverty among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people with 85.7% finding it difficult to buy period products
“It breaks my heart to see such high rates of period poverty continuing here in Australia. No one should have to go without these basic essentials, yet this issue is alarmingly prevalent,” Courtenay said.
“To ensure access to pads and tampons to the most vulnerable or living in period poverty, we will continue installing Dignity Vending Machines in public toilets, charities, homeless hubs, domestic violence, refuges, community centres, and Aboriginal Health Services working on improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s menstrual health,” says Courtenay.
The findings of The Bloody Big Survey will arm Share the Dignity with the evidence needed to create lasting change in Australia.
“I am also focused on ensuring our University and TAFE Students have free and dignified access to period products as well as workplaces, sporting centres, and local councils to ensure everyone can manage their period with dignity.”
Those wanting to make a tangible impact on those experiencing period poverty can donate period products to Share the Dignity’s Dignity Drive this August, find your closest collection point here. Supporters can donate unopened period products and incontinence aids at all Woolworths supermarkets nationwide and select businesses.
You can also download Share the Dignity’s Bloody Big Survey report here.
