Business leaders will need to adopt the mindset of a futurist, as the pace of change accelerates over the coming decade.
Research services company McCrindle has released its top 10 trends to watch over the next 10 years, saying that over the next decade, Australia will hit demographic milestones that highlight how rapidly the nation, states, territories, and cities are changing.
It stated social shifts were occurring as Australians lived longer, had children later and worked longer.
“To address these changes, leaders will do well to adopt the mindset of a futurist; that is, someone who can anticipate change, embrace disruption and find opportunities for growth.”
The company highlighted that the next decade would be characterised by population growth, with Australia predicted to reach a population of 30 million by 2030 and 32 million by 2035.
“Generational landmark moments will also occur as Gen Beta start school, Gen Alpha vote for the first time, Gen Z become parents and Gen X enter their retirement years.”
Here are McCrindle’s 10 trends to prepare for over the next 10 years in Australia:
- 2025: Generation Beta begin being born, marking the first time seven generations have been alive at once.
- 2026: Western Sydney’s international airport will open, marking the birth of the aerotropolis.
- 2027: Gen Z will enter the parenting life stage (as 2027 marks the year that the oldest Gen Zs reach 31, which is the median age of mothers at first birth).
- 2028: The oldest Generation Alphas will vote in their first federal election.
- 2029: New South Wales will reach a population of nine million while Sydney will approach six million.
- 2030: Australia will reach a population of 30 million people, and South Australia will reach two million. The oldest Gen Betas will start primary school.
- 2031: Melbourne is predicted to overtake Sydney as the largest city in Australia.
- 2032: The Summer Olympics and Paralympics will be held in Brisbane, experienced by more than six million Queensland residents.
- 2033: The oldest Generation X workers will reach the retirement age of 67.
- 2034: New South Wales will reach a population of 10 million and Victoria will hit 8.5 million.
- 2035: Australia will reach a population of 32 million people and life expectancy will reach 87 for females and 83 for males.
