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Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future

Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future

By: Simon Kuestenmacher and Michael Yardney
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 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. https://DemographicsDecoded.com.au2024 Economics Personal Finance
Episodes
  • How Generation X Will Shape Australia's Housing Market in the Decade Ahead

    How Generation X Will Shape Australia's Housing Market in the Decade Ahead
    Feb 10 2026
    Today we shine a spotlight on a generation that rarely asks for attention but quietly shapes enormous parts of Australia's economy and real estate landscape. I'm talking about Generation X - that cohort born between 1965 and 1980. While Millennials dominate headlines and Boomers dominate balance sheets, Gen X has been sitting in the middle - and as you'll hear today, they've been making some very important moves. In fact, new data suggests that Gen X are the quiet winners of Australia's property market. They bought when homes were more affordable, they rode the incredible rate-cut cycles of the 1990s and 2000s, and they've accumulated more equity than most people realise. But here's the real story: it's what happens next that will reshape Australia's housing market over the next decade. Takeaways · Generation X is often overlooked but plays a crucial role in the economy. · They have accumulated significant equity in their homes over the years. · Gen X faces unique financial pressures as the sandwich generation. · The demand for multi-generational housing is increasing among Gen X. · Work-life balance is a priority for Gen X, influencing their housing choices. · Gen X is likely to invest in second homes for lifestyle reasons. · They will retire with compulsory superannuation, enhancing their financial security. · Gen X is expected to downsize more pragmatically than previous generations. · Their financial decisions will shape the property market significantly. · Gen X is becoming a more influential voter block in politics. Chapters 00:00 Why Gen X quietly became the biggest winners in property. 04:30 How timing, rate cuts and equity supercharged Gen X wealth. 08:30 The "sandwich decade": kids, parents and housing pressure. 12:00 Bigger homes, home offices and multigenerational living. 16:00 Downsizing, walkable suburbs and the next housing shift. 20:30 Gen X wealth, inheritance and their growing political power. 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: https://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. 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:
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    25 mins
  • How high do we want property prices to keep rising? Who wins and who loses?

    How high do we want property prices to keep rising? Who wins and who loses?
    Feb 3 2026
    Today we ask a question almost no one in property likes to touch - not "will housing prices keep rising?" but "how expensive do we actually want housing to be?" For decades we've celebrated rising house prices in Australia. If your home was worth more this year than last, life felt a bit easier. Politicians were happy, banks were happy, homeowners were happy. But after 50 years of almost uninterrupted price growth, we need to ask a harder question: Is it actually good for us if housing just keeps getting more expensive? The answer, of course, depends on who you are. Because rising prices have created a lot of winners in Australia: homeowners, investors, banks, governments, tradies, retailers. But they've also created a growing group of losers - renters, younger Australians, essential workers, small businesses, and even the future middle class. Takeaways · Rising house prices benefit homeowners, investors, and banks. · First home buyers and renters are the primary losers in the housing market. · The middle class is at risk due to increasing housing costs. · Government policies often favor rising house prices over affordability. · The housing market is influenced by political choices, not just market forces. · Younger generations are becoming a significant voting block for housing issues. · Sustainable growth in property values is preferable to boom-and-bust cycles. · Investors should focus on long-term strategies rather than short-term gains. · The demographic shift may lead to changes in homeownership rates in the future. · A strong middle class is essential for a balanced economy. Chapters 00:00 Who really benefits when house prices keep rising. 05:30 Winners of high prices: owners, banks, governments and investors. 10:00 Losers emerge: renters, first-home buyers and essential workers. 15:00 Political choices, vested interests and why reform is so hard. 20:00 Demographic shifts that could eventually change housing policy. 25:30 Why slow, sustainable growth beats booms for Australia's future. 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: https://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.
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    33 mins
  • The Scorecard: Which Big Demographic Calls Actually Came True?

    The Scorecard: Which Big Demographic Calls Actually Came True?
    Jan 27 2026
    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/
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    38 mins
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