Six Years Later: What Covid Did to Our Population, Jobs, and Future

In March 2020, we all wondered how COVID would change us. Would it be just a temporary shock, or would it reshape society forever?

Well, six years on, the data is in – and it turns out the pandemic didn't rewrite Australia's destiny, but it did press fast-forward on changes that were already underway.

In this episode of Demographics Decoded, I explore with Simon Kuestenmacher the lasting impacts of COVID-19 on Australia's demographics.

We unpack how Covid accelerated demographic shifts, from fewer babies and more deaths, to the rise of the millennials and the gradual handover of economic power from boomers.

We also look at what all this means for skills shortages, inflation, interest rates, and Australia's future prosperity.

Takeaways

· The pandemic accelerated existing demographic trends rather than creating new ones.

· Young people in their formative years were significantly impacted by COVID.

· Australia's population grew by nearly a million people since 2020.

· Migration rates dipped to record lows during the pandemic.

· There was no significant increase in birth rates during COVID.

· The aging population will lead to more deaths in the coming years.

· Millennials are now entering their family formation age, likely increasing birth rates.

· The demand for childcare has risen despite a decrease in the number of children.

· Inflationary pressures are linked to the spending habits of millennials and baby boomers.

· Skills shortages are expected to persist as the workforce ages.

Chapters

00:10 – How COVID Fast-Forwarded Australia's Demographic Future

03:05 – Migration Collapse, Baby Bust and the Surge Back to Normal

07:11 – Excess Deaths, Aging and the Long-Term Health Impact

10:33 – Why Australia Will Rely Even More on Migration

14:24 – How COVID Reshaped Each Generation from Kids to Boomers

21:06 – Lasting Legacies: Inflation, Skills Shortages and the New Australia

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 or X (formerly Twitter) or any of his other social channels.

Click here for a media enquiry or if you would like to book Simon Kuestenmacher for a speaking engagement. His presentations and quirky observations are enjoyed by audiences from the financial services, property, government, education, technology, retail and professional services industries, among others.

About Michael Yardney

Michael Yardney - founder Metropole Property Strategists has been voted one of Australia's 50 most influential Thought Leaders

While he is best known as a property expert, Michael is also Australia's leading expert in the psychology of success and wealth creation.

Michael is a #1 best selling author of 9 books and frequently challenges traditional finance advice with innovative ideas on property investment, personal finance and wealth creation.

Follow Michael on Linked In or Instagram

Are you interested in property investment - let the team at Metropole build you a Strategic Property Plan to help give you clarity, direction and wealth - producing results.

Join Michael and Simon at Wealth Retreat 2026, where Australia's most ambitious investors and businesspeople gather to think bigger, invest smarter, and build intergenerational wealth.

MAY 30th – JUNE 4th 2026 – find out more here: http://www.wealthretreat.com.au/