Lyla Lindsey
Australians enjoy one of the highest life expectancies in the world, with men living nearly 80 years and women living 84 years on average. Despite this, many Australians are pessimistic about their physical condition in old age. Ageism and age discrimination are prevalent in Australia, with older people facing social exclusion, unfair treatment, and negative stereotypes. The media's portrayal of older people as frail, weak, or victims contributes to these negative perceptions, with over 70% of Australians agreeing that the media influences their perception of older people. Additionally, ageism in the workplace is a significant issue, with older people considered too old for employment, even though they may possess valuable skills and expertise. However, society is starting to shift its thinking around retirement, with more people choosing to work beyond the traditional retirement age or engage in part-time work and volunteering.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | Males: 80.7 years, Females: 84.9 years |
| Life expectancy of children born between 2019-2021 | Boys: 81 years, Girls: 85 years |
| Life expectancy a century ago | Men: 55 years, Women: 59 years |
| Number of centenarians | Increased by 271% over the past two decades |
| Number of supercentenarians | 23 |
| Oldest Australian | Christina Cock, died in 2002 aged 114 years |
| Number of Australians relying on the Age Pension | 80% of those aged 65 and over |
| Number of working-age people supporting Australians aged 65+ | 5 in 2023, projected to fall to 2.7 by 2050 |
| Percentage of older Australians living in poverty | Over 25% |
| Percentage of people aged 65+ years who are homeless | 7% |
| Percentage of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people needing help with self-care, mobility or communication | Almost 3 times more likely than non-Indigenous older people |
| Percentage of Australians who feel there are enough older role models in the media | 16% |
| Percentage of Australians who feel there are more positive than negative stories about ageing in the media | 21% |
| Percentage of Australians who feel stories in the media influence their perception of older people | 70% |
| Percentage of Australians who feel older people are victims, lonely, bad drivers or sick due to media stories | 60-70% |
| Percentage of Australians who feel age discrimination is common | 71% |
| Percentage of Australians who feel they are ignored by service people due to their age | 53% of those aged 54-65 and over |
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What You'll Learn
Ageing population and the changing society
Australia's population is ageing, with men today living nearly 80 years and women living to 84 years, a 25-year increase from a century ago. The number of centenarians in Australia has increased by 271% in the past two decades, compared to a 31% increase in the general population. This trend is helping to reshape Australian society and the economy. The share of Australians aged 65 and over in the labour force doubled between 2000 and 2015, and one in five people over 70 are still working. This is expected to rise, with businesses recognising older people as valuable consumers and a potential workforce asset.
However, ageism and negative stereotypes persist, with 71% of Australians feeling that age discrimination is common in the country, particularly in the workplace. Older Australians feel that differences in perceptions of ageing create tensions between them and younger people, with many experiencing negative treatment and social exclusion. For example, older Australians are often labelled as "too old" or "past their use-by date", causing them to miss out on work, training, and other opportunities. Media portrayals of older people as frail, weak, or victims reinforce these negative stereotypes, with only 16% of Australians feeling that there are enough positive role models of older people in the media.
Despite these challenges, the ageing of Australia's population will have significant implications for the country's future. The rising number of older Australians will require increased healthcare resources, with more health centres and seniors' gyms needed instead of schools and playgrounds. The old-age dependency ratio is projected to climb, with a decreasing number of working-age Australians supporting each person aged 65 and over. This will impact the economy and social security system, with the Age Pension already supporting approximately 80% of Australians over 65.
Overall, Australia's ageing population is leading to a changing society, with shifts in the workforce, healthcare demands, and social perceptions. Addressing age discrimination and promoting positive representations of ageing will be crucial in adapting to these demographic changes.
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Ageism and discrimination
Australians enjoy one of the highest life expectancies in the world. Men today can expect to live to 80, and women to 84, up 25 years from a century ago. The physical health of older Australians is also improving, and most people (82%) are positive about their quality of life. However, Australians are relatively pessimistic about their physical condition in old age. Only 44% of Australians surveyed by Ipsos expected to be "fit and healthy in old age", way below the international average of 57%. Despite this, Australians are surprisingly comfortable with the growing political clout of the elderly. As the cohort of grey voters has grown rapidly in recent years, only a small share of Australians think older Australians have too much power.
To combat ageism and discrimination, the Australian government passed the Age Discrimination Act in 2004. The Act makes it unlawful to treat people unfairly based on their age in various areas of public life. The Australian Human Rights Commission also works to resolve complaints of unfair treatment under this Act and tackles community attitudes that lead to age discrimination through research, policy advice, and education initiatives.
Additionally, businesses can recognise older people as both valuable consumers and contributors to the workforce. Older workers bring soft skills and expertise to the table, and incentives like flexible working conditions can encourage them to stay employed. Businesses are already tailoring entertainment, leisure, and healthcare to older people as consumers.
As the population ages, Australian society will undergo significant changes. The rising number of older Australians will require increased healthcare spending and a shift in community-building, with more health centres and seniors' gyms, for example. The old-age dependency ratio is projected to climb, with a decreasing number of working-age people supporting each person aged 65 and over. This will have economic implications, as older Australians already face poverty and homelessness.
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Retirement and workforce participation
Traditionally, retirement has been associated with a complete cessation of work and a dependence on the age pension. However, with longer life expectancies, the concept of retirement is evolving. Instead of solely relying on the age pension, older Australians are exploring various options such as working part-time, engaging in passion projects, and volunteering. This shift is supported by evidence suggesting that staying active and delaying complete retirement can have health benefits for older individuals.
The share of Australians aged 65 and over in the labour force has been steadily increasing. Between 2000 and 2015, the number of Australians in this age group who were still working doubled, and this proportion is expected to continue rising. This trend is reshaping both society and the economy. It is worth noting that the Australian pension age was 67 years old in 2023, and people are now expected to live for 16 years post-retirement. This changing demographic landscape will likely lead to a shift in community structure, with a potential increase in the number of health centres and senior-oriented facilities.
Despite the positive aspects of longer life expectancies, there are also challenges associated with ageing in Australia. Negative attitudes and stereotypes about older people can lead to unfair treatment and social exclusion. Ageist stereotypes in the workforce can result in talented individuals missing out on work opportunities and employers losing out on valuable employees. Additionally, older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience poorer health and higher rates of disability compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts.
To address these challenges, Australia has implemented measures such as the Age Discrimination Act, which came into force in 2004. This legislation makes it unlawful to treat people unfairly based on their age in various areas of public life. Additionally, the Australian government funded a research project in 2013 to promote awareness of the detrimental effects of negative stereotypes associated with ageing. Businesses are also recognising the potential of older individuals as consumers and are adapting their products and services in the entertainment, leisure, and healthcare sectors to cater to this demographic.
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Healthcare access and aged care
Australians enjoy one of the highest life expectancies in the world. Men today can expect to live to 80, and women to 84, up from 55 and 59 a century ago. The number of centenarians (people aged 100 and over) has increased by 271% in the past two decades, compared to a 31% increase in the general population. Despite this, Australians are relatively pessimistic about their health in old age, with only 44% of those surveyed by Ipsos expecting to be "fit and healthy", compared to an international average of 57%.
The physical health of older Australians is improving, and most people (82%) are positive about their quality of life. However, more than one in four older Australians live in poverty, and people aged 65 and over make up 7% of the homeless population. Older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience poorer health and higher rates of disability than other Australians of the same age. They are almost three times more likely to need help with self-care, mobility, or communication.
Around 80% of Australians aged 65 and over rely, at least in part, on the Age Pension. The old-age dependency ratio is projected to climb to a point where, by 2063, for every five working-age Australians, there will be almost two older people. This will have a significant impact on healthcare spending, which is projected to more than double to AUD$270 billion (USD$174 billion).
The Australian government has recognised the need to tackle negative stereotypes and age discrimination. The Age Discrimination Act of 2004 makes it unlawful to treat people unfairly based on their age in different areas of public life. However, age discrimination is still prevalent, particularly in the workplace, retail, and social situations. Older Australians feel that differences in perceptions of ageing and old age create tensions between them and younger people, with misconceptions and negative stereotypes underpinning ageism.
The media has been criticised for perpetuating negative stereotypes of older people, with older people in the media often portrayed as frail, weak, victims, or in poor health. This has influenced perceptions of older people as victims, lonely, isolated, bad drivers, and more likely to be sick. However, businesses are starting to view older people as a valuable consumer base and are tailoring entertainment, leisure, and healthcare to them.
With the increasing life expectancy and changing demographics, the concept of retirement is also evolving. Working past retirement age, part-time work, and active retirement are becoming more common. Businesses can benefit from the expertise and soft skills of older workers and can implement incentives such as flexible working conditions to encourage older people to continue working.
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Cost of living and financial strain
Australians enjoy one of the highest life expectancies in the world, with men living nearly 80 years and women living up to 84 years on average, a significant increase from a century ago. However, despite this increase in life expectancy, the perception of ageing and the financial strain associated with it remains a concern for many Australians.
The cost of living for older Australians can be a challenge, with approximately 80% of Australians aged 65 and over relying on the Age Pension, and more than one in four older Australians living in poverty. The number of centenarians in Australia has also increased by 271% in the past two decades, which further highlights the financial strain on individuals and the government. The Australian government has recognised this issue, and in 2004, the Age Discrimination Act was implemented to protect older individuals from unfair treatment and promote positive perceptions of ageing.
Ageism and negative stereotypes about older people in the workforce contribute to financial strain and create barriers for older individuals seeking employment opportunities. Many older Australians are considered too old by employers, leading to missed opportunities for both workers and businesses. However, it is important to note that the share of Australians aged 65 and over in the labour force has been increasing, and incentives such as flexible working conditions can encourage older individuals to remain in the workforce.
The media also plays a significant role in shaping perceptions of ageing and financial strain. Older Australians feel that they are often portrayed in the media as frail, weak, or victims, which can influence the public's perception of older people as vulnerable and forgetful. This can lead to age discrimination and further financial challenges for older individuals. Additionally, the portrayal of older people in the media can create a sense of cultural invisibility, where older individuals feel overlooked, devalued, or ignored by society and corporations despite their financial capacity.
Overall, while Australians are living longer lives, the financial strain and cost of living for older individuals remain a concern. The Australian government and society are recognising these challenges and working towards creating a more positive perception of ageing and addressing age discrimination.
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Frequently asked questions
Australians have a relatively pessimistic view of what their physical condition will be in old age. Only 44% of Australians surveyed by Ipsos expected to be "fit and healthy in old age", compared to an international average of 57%. However, the physical health of older Australians is improving, and most people (82%) are positive about their quality of life.
Australians enjoy one of the highest life expectancies in the world. Men today can expect to live to nearly 80, and women to 84, up from 55 and 59 a century ago, respectively. For children born between 2019 and 2021, boys have a life expectancy of 81, and girls 85.
Ageist stereotypes about older people in the workforce hurt both would-be workers and their potential employers, who miss out on valuable talent. Many older Australians feel they are considered too old by employers and miss out on work, training, and other opportunities as a result. However, businesses could start to view older people as a valuable asset, as they possess soft skills and expertise.
Older Australians feel that the media has a significant role in perpetuating negative stereotypes about ageing. They feel that older people are often portrayed as frail, weak, victims, or in poor health. Over 70% of Australians feel that stories in the media influence their perception that older people are victims, lonely, bad drivers, or more likely to be sick.
In 2004, the Age Discrimination Act came into force, making it unlawful to treat people unfairly based on their age in various areas of public life. The Australian government has also funded research projects to promote awareness of the damaging effects of negative stereotypes about ageing.
