Golden Ages and Grim Times: The Best and Worst Times to Be Born
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
Release Date: 03/25/2025
You’ll Probably Change Careers Twice in the Next 20 Years – Here’s How to Survive It
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
Believe it or not, the average Australian will change occupations not once, but more than twice over the next 20 years. And that's not just changing jobs—it's likely to be a complete shift into a different occupation. Today, Simon Kuestenmacher and I discuss the evolving landscape of work in Australia, and explore the factors driving this change, including technology, demographics, and the need for flexible education and training systems. The conversation also explores the role of migration in the workforce and highlights the importance of developing soft skills...
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Why More Aussies Are Living Alone — And What It Means for the Future
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
What if I told you that one of the most significant demographic shifts shaping our cities, our housing markets, and even our social lives over the next few decades… isn’t migration, isn’t birth rates, and isn’t ageing? It’s something far more personal. In today’s show, we’re talking about a silent revolution - the rise of the single-person household. More Australians than ever are living alone, and it’s not just retirees or Gen Zs in tiny apartments. From the newly single at 54 to the solo 29-year-old navigating life on their terms, this trend is redrawing the blueprint of...
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How Does Your Wealth Stack Up Against Your Generation?
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
Whether you’re just starting out, deep in your wealth-building years, or nearing retirement, it’s only natural to wonder: “How do I stack up compared to others?” In today's show, Simon Kuestenmacher and I look into the fascinating – and sometimes uncomfortable – world of generational wealth. We discuss the current financial landscape, highlighting the wealth distribution among baby boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by each generation, the impact of intergenerational wealth transfer, and the importance of strategic...
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Love or Leverage? How Soaring House Prices Are Trapping Couples Together
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
Have you ever wondered how the housing market is shaping our most personal life choices? In today’s show Simon Küstenmacher and I explore fascinating new Australian research that reveals how rising property costs are affecting relationship dynamics, marriage stability, and even divorce rates. We discuss how soaring house prices may be locking individuals into unhappy marriages due to financial constraints, the trends in divorce rates, and the economic factors influencing marriage decisions. The conversation also touches on mental health implications, gender dynamics in marriage...
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From Gloom to Boom? The Housing Shift Facing Gen Z
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
Do you ever wonder what the future of housing looks like for Generation Z? Right now, many young Australians feel locked out of the property market – priced out, disillusioned, and deeply pessimistic about their financial futures. But what if the story isn’t all doom and gloom? If you're curious about what the housing market might look like in 2034 – and how demographic and economic forces could tilt things in Gen Z’s favour – today’s show is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Takeaways · Gen Z is the...
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Who Will Replace the Baby Boomers? Rethinking Migration to Fill Australia’s Skills Gap
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
In this episode of Demographics Decoded, Simon Kuestenmacher and I discuss the significant impact of the baby boomer generation leaving the workforce and retiring. We examine the resulting skills gap, the challenges businesses encounter during leadership transitions, and the implications for various industries. The conversation also explores the role of AI and automation, the importance of strategic migration, and the necessity of effective business succession planning. Ultimately, we emphasise the opportunity for younger generations to step into roles and businesses...
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Will Young Australians Be Better Off Than Their Parents? Delay, Decline or Just Different?
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
In this episode of the Demographics Decoded Podcast, I explore with Simon Kuestenmacher and I ask the question – Will younger Australians be better off than previous generations. It’s a question that used to have a simple answer. But today, the path to prosperity seems murkier than ever. We discuss the wealth distribution dominated by baby boomers, the impact of education and income growth, the challenges of homeownership, and the role of technology and mental health in shaping the experiences of Gen Z. The conversation highlights both the opportunities and...
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Double Act or Double Trouble? The Truth About Couple-Run Businesses with Mark Creedon
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
Did you know that around 40% of family-owned businesses in Australia are run by couples? Often husband-and-wife teams share not only a home but also a business. On the surface, this might sound like the ultimate partnership - sharing a vision, building wealth together, and celebrating wins side by side. But the reality? It’s not always so rosy. Running a business with your partner presents unique challenges - blurring the lines between work and life, financial pressures, role conflicts, and sometimes even health and relationship issues. In fact, international research suggests that couples...
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Australia in 2125: What the Next 100 Years Could Look Like
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
What would someone from 1925 make of the Australia we live in today? Would they be amazed by our prosperity? Shocked by how much our values and lifestyles have changed? Or perhaps surprised that a place called the “Gold Coast” even exists? In today’s episode of Demographics Decoded, Simon Kuestenmacher and I take a time machine journey through Australia’s past and present. We explore how our country has evolved over the last 100 years – socially, culturally, demographically – and then fast-forward to ask: what might Australia look like in another hundred years? What kind of cities...
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Baby Boomers Are Sitting on Property Goldmines – But Refusing to Cash In
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
Have you ever wondered why more Baby Boomers aren’t downsizing, even though many are now living in homes that are bigger than they need? Simon Kuestenmacher and I discuss this important demographic trend that affects housing affordability, intergenerational wealth, and how our cities will evolve. So whether you're a policymaker, a property investor, or a Millennial waiting for the Boomer next door to sell, you won’t want to miss this show. Takeaways · The narrative of downsizing among baby...
info_outlineHave you ever stopped to wonder if there’s been a better time to be alive than right now?
Or maybe you’ve thought about the unimaginable challenges of living in past centuries.
Every era has its golden moments and dark chapters, but when you weigh up the pros and cons, it’s hard to argue that any other time in history compares to the opportunities and advancements we enjoy today.
So in this episode of the Demographics Decoded podcast Simon Kuestenmacher and I take a look at when life may have been at its peak—and when it was undeniably tough.
Takeaways
- Every era has its golden moments and dark chapters.
- Expectations play a crucial role in perceived happiness and satisfaction.
- The Baby Boomers grew up at a great time experiencing significant economic growth and social change.
- In the last few decades, technological advancements have transformed our lives in unprecedented ways. Medical breakthroughs have significantly improved our quality of life.
- Understanding historical context helps us appreciate our current situation.
- Living in a stable economy provides unique opportunities for wealth creation.
- Despite challenges, there are more opportunities today than ever before.
- The importance of community and support systems in navigating challenges.
- It's our responsibility to give back to the community as we succeed.
Chapters
02:12 Reflecting on the Past: The Baby Boomer Era
08:41 The Digital Revolution and Its Impact
13:39 Medical Advances and Their Significance
20:49 The Horrors of War and Historical Context
23:58 The Best Time in History to Be Alive
24:34 Conclusion: The Ovarian Lottery and Future Opportunities
29:58 Introduction to Demographics Decoded
31:19 The Importance of Demographic Awareness
Join Simon Kuestenmacher and Michael Yardney at Wealth Retreat 2025 –Australia’s Premier Wealth Retreat for Elite Investors and Business People – learn more here.
About Simon Kuestenmacher
Simon Kuestenmacher is co-founder and Director – The Demographics Group
Simon is a prolific media commentator on demographic and data matters and a columnist for The New Daily and The Australian newspapers.
He ranks as one of the world’s Top 10 influencers in data visualisation. If you can’t get enough of the kind of data that explains how the world works, make sure to follow Simon on Linked In or X (formerly Twitter) or any of his other social channels.
Click here for a media enquiry or if you would like to book Simon Kuestenmacher for a speaking engagement. His presentations and quirky observations are enjoyed by audiences from the financial services, property, government, education, technology, retail and professional services industries, among others.
About Michael Yardney
Michael Yardney- founder Metropole Property Strategists has been voted one of Australia’s 50 most influential Thought Leaders.
While he is best known as a property expert, Michael is also Australia’s leading expert in the psychology of success and wealth creation.
Michael is a #1 best selling author of 9 books and frequently challenges traditional finance advice with innovative ideas on property investment, personal finance and wealth creation.
Follow Michael on Linked In or Instagram
Are you interested in property investment - let the team at Metropole build you a Strategic Property Plan to help give you clarity, direction and wealth-producing results.