What 60 Years of Aussie Growth Tells Us About the Next 20
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
Release Date: 04/22/2025
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_outline Have you ever stopped to think about how far Australia has come since 1966?
That was the year we ditched pounds and pence for dollars and cents… but that’s just the start.
Back then, we were a country of just over 11 million people, mostly of Anglo-Celtic heritage, with an economy built on factories, farming, and following Britain’s lead.
Fast forward almost 60 years, and we’ve become one of the most diverse, service-based, urbanised economies in the world — and one of the wealthiest too.
But how did we get here?
Was it luck? Policy? Population? Or just being in the right place at the right time?
In this episode of the Demographics Decoded Podcast we explore the evolution of Australia's demographics over the past six decades, focusing on unemployment trends, the impact of global events, and the role of technology and immigration in shaping the workforce.
We discuss the resilience of the Australian economy, particularly during crises like the Global Financial Crisis and COVID-19, and make predictions about future employment trends and economic stability.
Takeaways
- Australia has undergone significant demographic changes since 1966.
- Unemployment rates have fluctuated due to various global events.
- The mining sector has been crucial for Australia's economic resilience.
- Technological advancements have reshaped the job market.
- Women entering the workforce has boosted household spending.
- The 1990s saw a recovery from recession and rising optimism.
- COVID-19 led to innovative economic safeguards to prevent mass unemployment.
- Demographic shifts will continue to influence the workforce.
- Immigration plays a vital role in addressing labor shortages.
- Future unemployment rates are expected to remain low.
Chapters
00:00 Australia's Transformation Since 1966
02:51 Unemployment Trends and Economic Shifts
05:16 The Impact of Global Events on Employment
08:05 Demographic Changes and Workforce Dynamics
10:39 The Role of Mining and Agriculture in Australia's Economy
13:05 The 1990s Recession and Recovery
15:54 The Global Financial Crisis and Its Aftermath
18:36 COVID-19's Impact on Employment
21:06 Future Employment Trends and Demographics
24:01 The Role of Immigration and Gender in Workforce Changes
28:07 Looking Ahead: Australia's Economic Future
33:32 The Importance of Demographic Awareness
33:51 Understanding Market Trends
Links and Resources:
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.