They’re Coming… But Where Will They Live? Australia’s Housing Time Bomb
Imagine inviting thousands of people to a party… but forgetting to organise enough food, chairs, or bathrooms. That’s essentially what Australia is doing by ramping up migration while failing to plan for the housing and infrastructure to support it. The conversation around our housing crisis is often framed around interest rates, investors, or planning delays. But there’s a critical dimension we keep avoiding: Australia’s housing and migration policies are completely out of sync, and this is causing systemic damage. In today’s show we explain how the federal government controls migration and the states manage housing — and this is creating a perfect storm of housing unaffordability, rental stress, and infrastructure bottlenecks. Takeaways · Housing and immigration policies must be aligned for effective planning. · Australia's migration intake has surged, impacting housing demand. · Government policies contribute significantly to housing unaffordability. · Local governments often block new housing developments due to community pushback. · The current housing crisis is a result of decades of neglect in planning. · Reforming property taxes could alleviate housing affordability issues. · Infrastructure planning is crucial to support population growth. · Lessons from other countries can inform Australia's housing strategy. · The political landscape complicates major housing reforms. · A comprehensive approach is needed to address the housing crisis. Chapters 00:10 Introduction to Housing and Migration Policies 06:11 The Role of Property Developers 14:04 Housing Needs of New Migrants 18:50 Redesigning Housing and Migration Policies 23:20 Lessons from Other Countries 27:24 The Future of Housing and Migration in Australia 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.
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37:09
Sea Change, Suburbia, and Survival: Australia's New Demographic Divide
Australia is growing fast. And while we’re used to thinking about our population huddling around the edges of this vast continent, new data from the Demographics Group shows the blowtorch of growth is now concentrated in just a handful of places — and that’s raising some big questions about the future of our towns, cities, and the services we all rely on. Over the past decade, we’ve added 3.7 million extra people, but that growth hasn’t been evenly spread — some areas are booming while others are slowly hollowing out. In today’s show we discuss the significant demographic changes occurring in Australia, focusing on population growth, the challenges faced by regional towns, and the implications for property investors and businesses. We explore the concentration of growth in major cities, the decline of rural areas, and the potential for revitalization through targeted migration and government strategies. The conversation highlights the need for a national demographic strategy to address these issues and ensure a balanced future for all regions. Takeaways · Australia's population has grown by 3.7 million in the last decade. · 80% of population growth occurred in the five largest cities. · Infrastructure development is lagging behind population growth in our big cities. · Regional towns are losing population due to a lack of jobs. · Aging populations in rural areas are creating staffing shortages. · Migration policies need to be more targeted to support regional areas. · Social cohesion is at risk due to the divide between urban and rural populations. · Future planning is essential to manage demographic changes effectively. Chapters 00:10 Introduction to Australia's Demographic Trends 01:15 Population Growth Concentration in Major Cities 03:58 Challenges Facing Regional Towns 07:01 Potential for Revitalizing Rural Areas 10:15 The Role of Migration in Addressing Aging Population 13:05 Government Strategies for Regional Vitalization 15:13 Emerging Growth Hotspots in Australia 17:56 Two-Speed Economy: Urban vs. Rural 20:54 Future Planning for Population Growth 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.
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24:41
The truth about Australian manufacturing will surprise you!
Most Australians believe that manufacturing in Australia is dead, but after today’s show you will realise manufacturing isn’t just surviving, it’s entering a new year of growth and innovation. In today’s show Simon Kuestenmacher and I discuss the evolving landscape of Australian manufacturing and debunk the myth that it is dead. We explore the current state of the industry, the impact of automation and technology, and the importance of government support and energy policy. The conversation also touches on regional development, housing solutions, and emerging trends that could shape the future of manufacturing in Australia. Takeaways · Manufacturing in Australia is not dead; it's evolving. · The workforce in manufacturing is still significant, despite a decline in percentage. · Automation and technology are reshaping manufacturing jobs. · Energy policy is crucial for the future of manufacturing. · There are opportunities for high-tech and value-added manufacturing. · Regional development can alleviate housing challenges. · Government support is needed to make energy cheaper. · The pandemic highlighted the need for local manufacturing of essential goods. · Emerging trends include pharmaceuticals and biotech manufacturing. · Consumer demands are driving changes in manufacturing practices. Chapters 00:10 The State of Australian Manufacturing 03:16 Shifts in Workforce Dynamics 05:55 Global Trade and Manufacturing Efficiency 09:09 The Future of Manufacturing Jobs 12:15 Value-Added Manufacturing Opportunities 15:01 High-Tech Manufacturing and Innovation 18:03 Sustainability in Manufacturing 21:17 Regional Manufacturing Potential 23:59 Government's Role in Manufacturing 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.
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27:19
Boomers Took All the Good Properties, How Can Gen Y & Z Can Fight Back and Win?
Have you ever felt like you’re playing a game of property monopoly in Australia, but someone else got to pass “Go” decades before you and now owns half the board, you’re not imagining it. That “someone else”? It's the Baby Boomers. They’ve won the property game in Australia. In today’s show we discuss with the generational wealth disparities in the Australian property market, focusing on the advantages that Baby Boomers have had over younger generations. We explore the impact of cultural shifts, the role of the Bank of Mum and Dad, and the emerging trend of rent-vesting as a strategy for younger Australians. The conversation also touches on the need for policy changes to support future generations in achieving home ownership and financial stability. Takeaways · Baby boomers have a significant advantage in property ownership. · Younger generations face higher debt levels and housing costs. · Cultural shifts have changed expectations around home ownership. · The Bank of Mum and Dad plays a crucial role in helping younger buyers. · Rent-vesting is becoming a popular strategy for young Australians. · Demographic insights can guide better policy decisions. · Policies should focus on increasing housing stock and affordability. · Generational wealth transfer is a key factor in property dynamics. · Understanding demographic trends is essential for future planning. · Every generation faces unique challenges based on their time. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Property Wealth Disparity 01:13 The Baby Boomer Advantage 03:21 Wealth Distribution and Debt Dynamics 06:50 Changing Expectations in Home Ownership 12:39 Generational Challenges and Delayed Family Life 15:53 The Squeeze on Generation X 18:52 The Role of the Bank of Mum and Dad 22:06 Emerging Trends: Rent-Vesting 23:53 Advising Policymakers for Future Generations 25:44 Recommendations for Housing Policy Links and Resources: 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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29:21
The Hidden Numbers: What Putin Fears Most About Russian Demographics!
The war between Russia and Ukraine has dominated the news for quite some time a few years ago, and then it was slowly relegated to old news section until more recently with Donald Trump’s involvement. In today’s podcast, Simon Kuestenmacher shares some interesting demographic statistics that help us understand what's going on over there and Vladimir Putin’s game plan. Takeaways · Demographics play a crucial role in understanding geopolitical events. · Russia's military spending is significantly higher than many countries but much of it is wasted through corruption. · The economic output of Russia is comparable to Australia despite its population being around 6 times the size. · Young Russians are fleeing the country due to the war and economic conditions. · Putin's ambitions are driven by a desire to restore Russia's former power. · The aging population in Russia presents long-term economic challenges. · Migration is not a viable solution for Russia's demographic issues like in other countries. · The war in Ukraine has strengthened Ukrainian nationalism. · Understanding demographics is essential for strategic planning in any context. Chapters 00:10 Introduction to Demographics and War 02:58 Russia's Military Spending and Economic Context 06:30 Putin's Strategic Timing and Demographics 10:41 The Impact of Alcohol on Russian Society 15:29 Long-term Challenges for Russia's Demographics 19:34 The Future of Russia and Geopolitical Implications 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.
About Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
Join leading demographer Simon Kuestenmacher and wealth and property investment expert Michael Yardney as they share Australian demographic shifts, trend analysis and social change insights to help business decision makers, entrepreneurs, and investors make informed decisions.
Each week, we bring you in-depth discussions about how demographics affects our future and actionable advice on demographic factors that influence property investment, business and industry and how to prepare for demographic and social changes in the next decade.
Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or investor, our podcast equips you with knowledge to stay ahead of the curve.
In a rapidly changing world, empower your business and investment decisions with data-driven insights. By subscribing to Demographics Decoded, you gain access to:
• Expert analysis from leading authorities in demography, economics and the future.
• Insights into the trends that will impact your business and investments.
• Strategies for leveraging demographic shifts to your advantage.
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