Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future

Today Simon Kuestenmacher and I discuss the significant demographic shifts that will reshape the Australian housing market, focusing on three key life peaks: family formation, midlife career shifts, and retirement.   We highlight how millennials, now entering family formation, are moving from smaller inner-city apartments to larger family-sized homes, while baby boomers are increasingly relocating to lifestyle destinations as they retire.   Our discussion also touches on the expected peak income years for millennials and the impact on housing preferences.   Additionally, we explore infrastructure challenges and opportunities in urban planning, emphasising the importance of adaptable educational facilities and community-oriented living environments to accommodate shifting demographics.   Finally, we offer insights for property investors on understanding market segments and potential growth areas, underscoring the predictive power of demographic trends in forecasting housing demand.  Takeaways:      Housing preferences evolve with life stages and demographic peaks are crucial in shaping housing markets.      Family formation is occurring later than in previous generations, impacting housing needs.      Millennials are entering their highest earning phase.      Retirement trends show a shift towards lifestyle destinations.      Regional areas face unique challenges with aging populations.      Property Investors should focus on growing market segments.      Understanding demographics can guide future property investments.  Chapters  03:06 Family Formation and Housing Shifts  05:58 Midlife Career Changes and Their Impact  09:03 Retirement Trends and Housing Preferences  11:46 Urban Planning and Infrastructure Needs  15:03 Regional Australia and Demographic Challenges  17:56 Advice for Property Investors  21:13 Future Outlook and Conclusion 

Today, we're spotlighting Generation Z — the youngest cohort in the workforce and a group already making waves across various facets of society. This is the last in our 5-part series looking at the various generations and we believe this type of information is essential whether you’re an employer, an employee, a business owner wondering what your potential clients want or need, or a property investor wanting to understand the needs of the different generations. Gen Z is known as the first true digital native generation, having grown up with smartphones, social media, and a hyper-connected world at their fingertips. Today we’ll look at their approach to careers and leadership to their financial habits, communication styles, and housing preferences. We’ll also investigate their social values, their environmental consciousness, and how they’re reshaping the future of work and life as we know it. So, whether you're a business leader trying to understand your future workforce, an investor keen to align with the trends of this emerging demographic, or simply curious about the next generation, this episode is for you. The Gen Z Effect: Shaping Tomorrow's Workforce and Society Today, our conversation covers the world of Generation Z, exploring their unique characteristics, preferences, and challenges. Our discussion provides a comprehensive understanding of how Gen Z shapes society and the workforce with their digital nativity and distinct values. ●        Generation Z as true digital natives impacting society ●        Gen Z's upbringing in a hyper-connected world and its effects ●        Gen Z and social media ●        Gen Z's communication preferences, avoiding traditional methods ●        Gen Z's approach to careers ●        Gen Z's lifestyle choices like van life ●        Gen Z's work-life balance and preference for freelancing ●        Gen Z spending habits ●        How Gen Zs find partners ●        Gen Z's housing preferences and inclination toward urban living ●        Gen Z's openness to mental health ●        How Gen Z feels about sustainability issues Now that we’ve done a deep dive into each generation in the workforce, it’s time to reflect on how these generational shifts will influence the future. By understanding the traits and preferences of Generation Z, businesses and individuals alike can better navigate the evolving landscape. Stay connected for more insightful discussions on the trends shaping our world. Links and Resources: 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. Some of our favorite quotes from the show: “And we know the government's talking about limiting social media for younger people, but I guess it's also affected their communication style.” - Michael Yardney “The idea is that these young people enter the world of work with a completely different set of leverage. They can make more demands than previous generations.” - Simon Kuestenmacher “They also seem to be much more aware of mental health, the mental health-conscious generation.” - Michael Yardney PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW Reviews are hugely important to me because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast app.

Today, we’re diving into the world of Millennials – a generation often in the spotlight, yet frequently misunderstood. This is a continuation of our series looking at the various generations as we believe this type of information is essential whether you’re an employer, an employee, a business owner wondering what your potential clients want or need, or a property investor wanting to understand the needs of the different generations. Born between the early 1980s and mid-1990s, Millennials have grown up in a time of rapid technological change, economic upheaval, and shifting social norms. They’ve been labelled everything from entitled to entrepreneurial, and their impact on the workforce, the economy, and our communities is profound. But what’s the real story behind the headlines? So, whether you’re a Millennial yourself, working with them, or just curious about what makes this generation tick, stick around as we decode the many layers of this often-misunderstood cohort. The Millennial Shift: Career, Housing, and Technology Trends In this insightful podcast episode, we discuss Millennial career choices, housing trends, and the significant impact technology has had on their lives. Our conversation unpacks the challenges and opportunities Millennials face as they navigate an era of economic security and technological advancement. ●        The upbringing and economic context of millennials, born between 1982 and 1999, and their journey toward middle management roles ●        The 'tyranny of choice' in career paths and how millennials prioritize job satisfaction and meaningful work ●        The educational challenges millennials face, including degree inflation and delayed workforce entry ●        The generational shift in values, with millennials seeking meaning in work and lifestyle choices over materialism ●        Why Millennials are taking longer to hit milestones ●        Financial challenges millennials encounter compared to their parents' achievements and the psychological impact of these comparisons ●        Millennials' extended rental periods and the anticipated demographic shift towards urban fringes for family-sized homes ●        How Millennials' formative years with basic mobile phones shielded them from social media pressures faced by Gen Z ●        Millennials' structured lifestyles and distinct communication preferences and how they impact workplace dynamics ●        How social and environmental issues shape the behaviors and the consumer choices  Millennials ●        How Millennials approach health and well-being ●        Misconceptions about Millennials ●        Next week’s discussion about Gen Z Whether you're an employer, marketer, or property investor, this discussion equips you with the knowledge needed to connect with and support this vital workforce. Links and Resources: 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. Some of our favorite quotes from the show: “It seems that millennials, as we've started to say, are leaving some of those decisions that their parents or generations before them made earlier: the decision to put down their roots, to get a job, to get married they're taking a gap year.” - Michael Yardney “Millennials, through the long life approach, stayed into the rental stage, the pre-home ownership stage of the life cycle, for longer.” - Simon Kuestenmacher “So, my kids being millennials, I've noticed that they don't like picking up the phone as much to talk. It's very different from my generation where you'd speak to people of my parents' generation who'd write to people.” - Michael Yardney PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW Reviews are hugely important to me because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast app.

Today, in a continuation of our series looking at the various generations, we're shining a spotlight on Generation X—a group that’s often overlooked but whose impact on society, the economy, and the workplace is anything but small. Gen X may not be as large in number as the Boomers or as talked about as the Millennials. Still, this generation has quietly been making waves, steering through economic upheavals, technological revolutions, and the unique challenges of being the 'sandwich generation,' juggling careers, raising kids, and caring for aging parents. Gen X’s Lasting Impact on Society In this episode, we explore the impactful yet often overlooked Generation X. ●        [00:02:04] Introduction to Generation X, highlighting their pivotal roles in politics and business despite being a smaller cohort ●        [03:30:00] Why Gen X is a smaller generation ●        [00:03:38] Gen X era historical events and cultural shifts, like the introduction of the contraceptive pill and no-fault divorce, that shaped Gen X ●        [05:53:00] Gen X's upbringing in dual-income households and the resulting work ethic and values ●        [00:07:46] Gen X's attitudes towards work-life balance and financial independence, shaped by experiences in the "greed is good" era ●        [00:10:49] Gen X's adaptability to technological advancements and their influence on workplace norms ●        [00:12:24] Gen X's financial challenges, including homeownership and caring for aging parents, and their pragmatic approach to these issues ●        [00:13:47] Where Gen X fits in the housing market ●        [00:17:24] The values that define Gen X ●        [00:20:02] The pressures Gen X faces, such as peak divorce rates and increased volunteering demands ●        [00:23:41] How Gen X utilizes technology, like TikTok, to stay connected with their children ●        [00:26:02] Intergenerational dynamics and the importance of understanding these differences for better workplace communication ●        [00:27:17] What Gen X’s legacy will be By understanding the significant influence Generation X has had on shaping today's world and appreciating the complexities and challenges they continue to navigate, we can foster better communication and collaboration across generations, both in the workplace and in broader society. Links and Resources: 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. Some of our favorite quotes from the show: “Work-life balance is interesting because I remember when computers came out, people were saying oh, they're going to do all the work for you and you're going to be able to sit on a beach and you're only going to work two, three days a week. It doesn't seem to change, does it?” - Michael Yardney “This is a generation that very much has the tall poppy syndrome. Big is not beautiful. Increasingly, with Gen X, they do think that they're being, you know, just used as a small wheel in this big satanic mill that is the economy.”- Simon Kuestenmacher “I believe that they're also, as we've already said, reasonably tech savvy, so a lot of Gen Xs get their information from websites, from YouTube, from Instagram, compared to maybe the older generations before them who used to read things or read newspapers.” - Michael Yardney PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW Reviews are hugely important to me because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast app.