Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future

• Some Things That Will Never Change—No Matter How Crazy the World Gets

  In today’s podcast we discuss a few things that never change in a world that never stops changing. And that’s because the things that never change are the most important things to pay attention to. However, change gets the most attention because it’s exciting, it’s surprising, it’s something that the media can comment on. I have found that to be a successful investor and a successful businessperson, I’ve had to be prepared for change, but I’ve also to understand those things that stay the same. Now don’t be confused by all this – it’s not a play on words. You’ll understand what I’m on about by the time you finish listening to this podcast So, let’s look at some things that never change in a world that never stops changing. Takeaways Life is cyclical; both good and bad times will pass. Understanding change is crucial for success in business. Optimism influences our actions and results. History teaches us lessons, but it doesn't repeat exactly. Humans inherently strive for improvement and good. Human connection remains vital despite technological advances. Demographic trends significantly shape our future. The principle of compounding applies to wealth and relationships. Chapters 02:24 The Optimistic Human Spirit 07:53 Resilience in the Face of Change 13:24 The Cyclical Nature of Life 15:53 The Unchanging Human Condition 20:02 The Power of Compounding 21:51 Demographic Trends: Aging Population 23:56 Population Growth Through Immigration 25:24 Urbanization Trends in Australia 27:00 The Growing Asian Middle Class 29:28 Generational Wealth Transfer 31:31 The Rise of Single-Person Households 33:58 The Value of Community in Wealth Building   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. 

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  35:48
• The One Thing All Investors Miss: Watching Out for the X-Factor

  What if I told you the single biggest threat—or opportunity—for your wealth creation journey could be something you never saw coming? In today’s episode, Simon Kuestenmacher and I explore the concept of X-Factors—unexpected events that can significantly impact businesses, investments, and lives. Over the past two decades, we’ve seen plenty of them—from the devastating Global Financial Crisis (GFC) to the COVID-19 pandemic, from global wars to record-breaking migration levels. So today we explore how these X factors, big and small, have impacted the Australian property market and the economy at large. We reflect on historical events, the role of AI, interest rates, and demographic changes, emphasizing the importance of understanding these factors to navigate future uncertainties. Takeaways Historical events provide valuable lessons for future predictions X-Factors are unexpected events that can disrupt economies. Some X factors are local—like government policy changes, interest rate hikes, or a surge in foreign investment. Others are global in nature, stemming from geopolitical events, technological revolutions, or social upheavals. While it’s essential to take a long-term view, you must always prepare for the unexpected. AI is a significant modern X-Factor affecting all industries. Political decisions can create unexpected economic outcomes. Forecasting requires humility and an understanding of complexity. Demographics play a crucial role in economic forecasting. Embracing uncertainty can lead to better decision-making. Chapters 02:17 Historical Context of X-Factors 05:55 Impact of Interest Rates and Consumer Confidence 09:16 Global Events and Their Economic Implications 13:11 The Role of AI as an X-Factor 16:43 COVID-19: A Major X-Factor 20:22 Generational Impact of X-Factors 24:21 Political X-Factors and Their Economic Effects 27:49 Lessons from the Past: Preparing for Future X-Factors 31:39 Conclusion: Embracing Uncertainty in Forecasting 40:52 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. 

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  41:22
• The Great Car Takeover: Is Australia Ready for What’s Next?

  In today’s podcast we're shifting gears to discuss something that impacts almost every aspect of our daily lives—our cars. As we look ahead, the next decade promises significant changes in how we drive, where we live, and what we drive." You’ll hear Simon Kuestenmacher explain how he sees a future dominated by cars in a way we haven't seen before. So why not put the pedal to the metal and listen to this week’s show Takeaways Demographic trends are crucial in understanding our future including how we’ll be using cars. Millennials are increasingly moving to suburban areas, necessitating more cars. The shift towards larger vehicles is evident as families grow. Electric vehicles are slowly gaining market share, but still represent a small percentage of all the cars. Infrastructure is under pressure to cope with our population growth and car dependency. Urban planning must adapt to changing demographics and transport needs. Cultural attitudes significantly influence car ownership and transport choices. Self-driving cars could revolutionise urban transport and reduce the need for personal vehicles. Public transport systems in Australia face challenges due to low population density. Chapters 01:01 Demographic Trends Influencing Car Ownership 05:27 The Shift to Larger Vehicles 05:42 New Chapter 25:20 Urban Planning Solutions for Traffic 29:58 The Role of Demographics in Understanding Trends 32:39 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. 

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  33:10
• The age-bomb about to detonate in Australia

  In this episode of Demographics Decoded, Simon Kuestenmacher and I explore the concept of the 'age bomb' that will hit Australia and the challenges that come with the escalating demand for aged care, services retirement funding, and we explain the essential role of superannuation. Takeaways Australia's population is aging, impacting various sectors differently. The 'age bomb' refers to the pressures of an aging population. Australia’s 85 plus population will double by 2038, straining resources. Retirement planning is crucial as life expectancy increases. Superannuation is a key tool for funding retirement. Allowing young people to access their superannuation for housing will disrupt long-term savings. Major changes to superannuation regulations are expected. Dementia care is becoming increasingly important and costly. Aged care services need significant expansion to meet demand. Societal attitudes towards aging and retirement are evolving. Chapters 01:27 Understanding the Age Bomb 04:08 Retirement and Financial Planning Changes 06:49 Superannuation and Housing Market Dynamics 09:44 Future Changes to Superannuation 17:51 The Growing 85+ Population 21:29 Dementia and Its Impact on Society 27:34 Conclusion and Future Trends   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.       

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  31:49
• Are there more winners than losers when house prices rise?

  Are there more winners or losers in our current challenging house markets? In this episode of the Demographics Decoded Podcast, Simon Kuestenmacher and I explore who the winners and losers are, examine the impact of government policies on housing affordability, and analyse the political landscape affecting young voters. We also delve into the implications of immigration on housing and the widening wealth gap, emphasizing the necessity for a balanced approach to housing policies that considers both supply and demand. Takeaways The housing market is experiencing significant fluctuations. High property prices benefit more stakeholders than they harm. Government policies often exacerbate housing affordability issues. Young voters are increasingly disillusioned with major parties. Immigration impacts housing demand and affordability. There is a widening wealth gap affecting young Australians. Supply and demand dynamics are crucial in housing policy discussions. Political stability is essential for effective housing policies. First homebuyer grants can inadvertently drive up prices. A balanced approach is needed to address housing affordability. Chapters 02:43 Winners in the Property Market 05:25 The Role of Government and Policy 08:14 The Political Landscape and Housing Affordability 10:58 The Future of Housing Policy 13:42 The Effects of Migration on Housing 16:21 Balancing Winners and Losers in the Market   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. 

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  31:08

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