Logo

Explore our Progress 2050 Goal Tracker

Find out more

Join CEDA Support us
Opinion article

Intergenerational struggle: Confronting Australia’s demographic headwinds

Older, bigger, slower growing, more diverse. Living standards at risk of going backwards. These were the key takeaways from the latest Federal Intergenerational Report (IGR), writes Dr Liz Allen. The intergenerational bargain or contract, which implicitly suggests that the country handed to each subsequent generation is the same, if not better, than the socioeconomic conditions enjoyed previously, has been eroded. Increasing or maintaining living standards can no longer be guaranteed. Australia’s dumb luck has run out.

Back to all opinion articles

30/08/2023

Liz Allen
CEDA Members contribute to our collective impact by engaging in conversations that are crucial to achieving long-term prosperity for all Australians. Find out more about becoming a member or getting involved in our work today.
About the author
LA

Liz Allen

See all articles
Dr Liz Allen is a demographer and senior lecturer at ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods, where she researches population dynamics and teaches research methods. She is a member of ANU Council and an advocate for inclusive and accessible higher education. Liz was named among the ABC Top 5 Humanities and Social Sciences academics in Australia in 2018, and a woman to watch by the Australian Financial Review in 2023. She is a regular media commentator for all things demography. Her book, The Future of Us (2020), is a call to action to build a stronger Australia through fairness and equality.

Our Related Articles

Opinion article July 13, 2023

I’m a mother and economist: here’s why my childcare fees had to rise

Last month, the governing committee of my sons’ childcare centre made the difficult decision to raise its fees by 5½ per cent. As a member of that committee, I took part in the deliberations. We thought long and hard before making this move, writes CEDA Senior Economist Melissa Wilson.

Read more Opinion article September 14, 2015

In search of desirable workplace relations model for Australia

Professor Paul J. Gollan and Dr Ying Xu examine potential use of European workplace relations models in the Australian system.

Read more Opinion article June 7, 2015

The black art of economic forecasting

Professor the Hon. Stephen Martin and Sarah-Jane Derby discuss economic forecasting in the Australian context including recent Federal Government budget forecasting.

Read more