Episodes

Every day, the headlines scream at us: housing is unaffordable, inflation is hurting, wars are raging, and the climate is under threat. It can feel like the world is spinning out of control.  But what if I told you that, despite all these challenges, we’re actually living in the best…

In this episode of Demographics Decoded, Simon Kuestenmacher and Michael Yardney discuss the changing landscape of retirement in Australia, focusing on the widening wealth gap between homeowners and renters.  For generations, Australians assumed they’d retire in their own home. It was the cornerstone of our national dream.   But new evidence…

Picture this: you take your kids to a museum in 2045, and instead of dinosaurs and ancient artefacts, they’re staring at remote controls, plastic packaging, and wheelchairs.   They ask, ‘Did you really use these every day?’   In this episode Simon Kuestenmacher and Michael Yardney explore the technologies, jobs, and habits…

What if we could all work just four days a week with no pay cut  and still get the same results?  It sounds like a fantasy, but carefully monitored trials across the globe show that it’s not only possible, but in many cases, productivity actually goes up. Stress levels fall,…

For years, we’ve worried about the world’s population growing too fast, straining resources and cities. But what if I told you the real challenge of the future might not be too many people, but too few?  While a lot has been written about Australia's massive population growth in the short…

Let’s be honest, we Aussies love a good whinge – about the cost of living, traffic, housing, politics, you name it.  But when you take a step back, we still live in one of the most enviable countries on earth. Safe cities, strong economy, stunning natural beauty, and a lifestyle…

Move over smashed avo and lattes – Australia has a new obsession. The fastest-growing retail sector isn’t cafés, restaurants, or even liquor. It’s wellness.   Today, we examine how demographics, particularly the aging Baby Boomer population and the rising Millennial generation, are shaping these trends.  The conversation highlights the growing…

Migration is shaping Australia’s future more than almost any other force.   In 2024, about 580,000 new residents arrived, while 240,000 left permanently – giving us a net migration gain of 340,000 people.   That’s far above our long-term average, and it raises big questions about how our nation can handle such…