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 term, today we explore what's going to happen to not only Australia's, but the world's population growth over the medium to long term—and unveil a surprising trend.

Whether you're a property investor, a business owner, or just curious about what's ahead for  Australia, this should be a fascinating conversation about prosperity, perception, and our future.

 

Takeaways 

 

·         The global population is projected to peak and then decline.

·         Fertility rates are falling globally, impacting population growth.

·         Australia relies on migration to maintain its population levels.

·         High living costs and urbanization contribute to lower birth rates.

·         Regional areas face unique challenges due to population changes.

·         Changing family structures will affect social dynamics.

·         A shrinking population may lead to economic shifts.

·         Environmental concerns are tied to population growth and decline.

·         Attracting skilled migrants will be crucial for Australia's future.

·         Long-term planning is essential for adapting to demographic changes.

 

Chapters 

 

02:15 - Global Population Peak and the Unstoppable Decline in Birth Rates 

05:40 - Migration Age Cohorts and Australia's Future Competition for Workers 

08:45 - Why Baby Bonuses Don't Work and What Really Drives Fertility 

12:10 - Smaller Families, Weaker Kin Networks and the Rise of Friendship Circles 

18:50 - AI, Automation and How Australia Can Prosper in a Shrinking World

 

 

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 <span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size