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 September 21, 2023

Will dynamic capabilities solve our productivity problem?

Why is Australia’s productivity at a 60-year low? And more importantly, how do we fix it? CEDA recently hosted a Trustee Event in Melbourne in partnership with executive people solutions firm Future Leadership. A key question for guests was ‘What factors help Australian businesses to be more dynamic, and what holds them back?’

Read more Opinion article October 26, 2021

How do we future-proof WA’s economy?

Western Australia’s economy has reaped rewards from the skills and capabilities built upon the resources sector. Now is the time to leverage these advantages into new sectors and markets, writes CEDA Chief Economist Jarrod Ball and Senior Economist Cassandra Winzar.

Read more Opinion article October 30, 2018

The house price fall we had to have

With house price falling and auction clearance rates as low as those seen in the GFC, there is some concern of an impending house price collapse. But according to Chris Richardson and Alex Hooper of Deloitte Access Economics, the drop in house prices against the backdrop of a strong economy is good news. 

Read more