Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future

At the end of last year, Simon Kuestenmacher published a detailed set of demographic predictions about Australia's future – covering everything from migration and ageing, to housing affordability, consumer behaviour and where population growth would show up.
 
And instead of quietly moving on, he's come back twelve months later to mark his own homework.
 
Today, we discuss the accuracy of his forecasts related to migration, fertility rates, political trends, and the property market.
 
We also explore how societal changes, such as aging populations and consumer behavior, impact various sectors, including housing and car sales.
 
You'll learn the importance of understanding long-term demographic trends amidst short-term chaos, providing insights for business owners and investors.
 
Takeaways 
 
·         The world feels chaotic, but demographic trends are stable.
·         Demographic predictions can provide accountability and insights.
·         Third party voting is on the rise in Australia.
·         Understanding migration data is crucial for accurate forecasts.
·         Falling fertility rates are linked to economic optimism.
·         Greenfield areas are growing faster than infill developments.
·         First home buyers are delaying purchases due to various factors.
·         Australia's population is aging, impacting future planning.
·         Consumer behaviour is affecting car sales trends.
·         Mental health issues are becoming more prominent in society.
 
Join Michael and Simon at Wealth Retreat 2026, where Australia's most ambitious investors and businesspeople gather to think bigger, invest smarter, and build intergenerational wealth.
MAY 30th – JUNE 4th 2026 – find out more here: www.WealthRetreat.com.au
 
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.
https://www.tdgp.com.au/enquire
 
 
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.
 
Also, please subscribe to my other podcast, Property Investment, Success and Money |The Michael Yardney Podcast. Just look for it wherever you are listening to this podcast and subscribe so each week we can unveil the trends shaping your future. Or click here: https://propertyupdate.com.au/category/michael-yardney-podcast/

In today's show we delve into a fresh set of data from the HILDA survey - one of Australia's longest-running studies tracking how real households are living, working, earning, spending, and socialising.
 
Our aim is to help you make sense of what's coming next — so you can make smarter decisions for your business, your investments.
 
You'll hear how Australians are becoming wealthier yet facing challenges such as rising living costs and increasing loneliness.
 
We discuss the implications of retirement wealth, the challenges faced by non-homeowners, and the widening gap between homeowners and renters.
 
The conversation also touches on changing family dynamics, the effectiveness of pronatal policies, and the impact of loneliness on workplace performance, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to address these societal issues.
 
Takeaways 
 
·         Australians are earning more but feeling the pressure of rising living costs.
·         Retirement wealth is increasing, particularly among baby boomers.
·         Non-homeowners face significant financial challenges in retirement.
·         The gap between homeowners and renters is widening, impacting wealth distribution.
·         Finding reliable financial advice is crucial in today's noisy information landscape.
·         Changing family dynamics are leading to fewer children being born later in life.
·         Pronatal policies have not proven effective in increasing birth rates.
·         Loneliness is becoming a significant societal issue in Australia.
·         Workplace socializing can help minimize feelings of loneliness.
·         Urban planning can play a role in addressing loneliness and fostering community.
 
Chapters 
 
00:10  Why richer, older Australia still feels lonelier.
05:20  Wealthier retirees, housing gaps and migration pressures.
10:30  How homeownership shapes retirement security and inequality.
15:25  Shrinking family size and why money and culture drive it.
20:35  Loneliness rising — work, screens and time-poor lifestyles.
25:35  Walkable communities, aging, and Australia's next big demographic shift.
 
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.
 
Join Michael and Simon at Wealth Retreat 2026, where Australia's most ambitious investors and businesspeople gather to think bigger, invest smarter, and build intergenerational wealth.
MAY 30th – JUNE 4th 2026 – find out more here: http://www.wealthretreat.com.au/

In today's show we delve into the latest findings from the Hilda report, exploring the significant demographic shifts in Australia.
 
We discuss how Australians are becoming richer yet feeling poorer due to rising costs, the impact of these economic realities on family planning, and the implications of an aging workforce and increasing lonliness.
 
It's clear these trends aren't random. They're reshaping our economy, our housing markets, our workforce, and even our social fabric in ways many people haven't yet recognised.
 
Our conversation highlights the importance of understanding these trends for business and investment decisions, as well as the role of data in shaping our understanding of societal changes.
 
Takeaways 
 
·         Australia is experiencing significant demographic changes, including increased wealth and loneliness.
·         The Hilda report provides valuable longitudinal data on household dynamics in Australia.
·         Rising costs of living are affecting perceptions of wealth and financial security.
·         Childcare and housing costs are major factors influencing family planning decisions.
·         Many young families feel financially constrained in their decisions about having children.
·         The aging population is leading to longer working lives and changing retirement norms.
·         Data from the Hilda report can help businesses and investors make informed decisions.
·         The relationship between economic trends and psychological perceptions is complex.
·         AI and automation will not eliminate the need for human labor in many sectors.
·         The housing market is being influenced by demographic shifts and changing family structures.
 
Chapters 
 
00:10  What the HILDA report reveals about how Australia is changing.
05:10  Why incomes rose but Australians still feel poorer.
10:05  How rising costs reshape fertility, families and childcare choices.
15:05  Time poverty, spending shifts and what Australians now pay for convenience.
19:50  Australians working later in life — and the economic forces behind it.
24:30  What longer careers and aging mean for housing, retirement and future cycles.
 
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.
 
Join Michael and Simon at Wealth Retreat 2026, where Australia's most ambitious investors and businesspeople gather to think bigger, invest smarter, and build intergenerational wealth.
MAY 30th – JUNE 4th 2026 – find out more here: http://www.wealthretreat.com.au/

In March 2020, we all wondered how COVID would change us.  Would it be just a temporary shock, or would it reshape society forever?
 
Well, six years on, the data is in – and it turns out the pandemic didn't rewrite Australia's destiny, but it did press fast-forward on changes that were already underway.
 
In this episode of Demographics Decoded, I explore with Simon Kuestenmacher the lasting impacts of COVID-19 on Australia's demographics.
 
We unpack how Covid accelerated demographic shifts, from fewer babies and more deaths, to the rise of the millennials and the gradual handover of economic power from boomers.
 
We also look at what all this means for skills shortages, inflation, interest rates, and Australia's future prosperity.
 
Takeaways 
 
·         The pandemic accelerated existing demographic trends rather than creating new ones.
·         Young people in their formative years were significantly impacted by COVID.
·         Australia's population grew by nearly a million people since 2020.
·         Migration rates dipped to record lows during the pandemic.
·         There was no significant increase in birth rates during COVID.
·         The aging population will lead to more deaths in the coming years.
·         Millennials are now entering their family formation age, likely increasing birth rates.
·         The demand for childcare has risen despite a decrease in the number of children.
·         Inflationary pressures are linked to the spending habits of millennials and baby boomers.
·         Skills shortages are expected to persist as the workforce ages.
 
Chapters 
 
00:10 – How COVID Fast-Forwarded Australia's Demographic Future 
03:05 – Migration Collapse, Baby Bust and the Surge Back to Normal 
07:11 – Excess Deaths, Aging and the Long-Term Health Impact 
10:33 – Why Australia Will Rely Even More on Migration 
14:24 – How COVID Reshaped Each Generation from Kids to Boomers 
21:06 – Lasting Legacies: Inflation, Skills Shortages and the New Australia
 
 
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.
 
Join Michael and Simon at Wealth Retreat 2026, where Australia's most ambitious investors and businesspeople gather to think bigger, invest smarter, and build intergenerational wealth.
MAY 30th – JUNE 4th 2026 – find out more here: http://www.wealthretreat.com.au/

What does it actually mean to age well? We all know people who seem to get older but never old – they're curious, kind, and somehow more alive with each passing decade.
 
And then there are others who retreat, complain, and shrink their world.
 
Today we're decoding what it really takes to age well – mentally, physically, socially, and financially.
 
We'll look at some wisdom from Roger Rosenblatt's witty book Rules for Ageing, and add Simon's demographic lens to see what the data says about how we can actually put this into practice.
 
Our conversation also touches on demographic trends affecting aging in Australia, highlighting the importance of community and social connections for a fulfilling life as we grow older.
 
Takeaways 
 
·         Aging well means living with vitality, not just longevity.
·         Demographic trends show we are living longer, necessitating a focus on quality of life.
·         Emotional regulation improves with age, allowing for better self-acceptance.
·         Letting go of what others think can lead to a more fulfilling life.
·         Incremental changes are more sustainable than radical reinventions.
·         Humor is essential for coping with life's challenges.
·         Pursuing virtue is important, but perfection is not necessary.
·         Life is inherently unfair; acceptance is key to resilience.
·         Curiosity keeps the mind active and engaged throughout life.
·         Physical activity and social connections are crucial for healthy aging.
 
Chapters 

00:00 What it really means to age well in a world where we live much longer.
04:00 Emotional freedom: stop worrying what others think and let go of perfection.
08:10 Evolving gradually, keeping humour and staying kind without self-righteousness.
12:10 Accepting the past, embracing unfairness and releasing old grudges.
16:10 Key habits of healthy aging: curiosity, learning, movement and social connection.
20:50 The demographic reality: Australia's rapidly growing elderly population and how society must adapt.

Join Michael and Simon at Wealth Retreat 2026, where Australia's most ambitious investors and businesspeople gather to think bigger, invest smarter, and build intergenerational wealth. MAY 30th – JUNE 4th 2026 – find out more here: http://www.wealthretreat.com.au/
This episode was inspred by Roger Rosenblatt's book Rules for Aging
 
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.
https://www.tdgp.com.au/enquire
 
 
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.