Middle-aged women from middle-income households have soured on Anthony Albanese more than any other demographic over the past year, suggesting that anger over the cost of living is the key driver in the government’s poor standing in the polls.

An analysis of data from The Australian Financial Review/Freshwater Strategy polls shows that between May 2023 and this month, support among women for Mr Albanese fell from a net positive approval rating of 11 percentage points to a net negative of 12 points, which is a swing of 23 points against him.