New report predicts Aussies will live longer and poorer

7News Just In · Sep 21, 2026 · 2m

Treasury's latest five-yearly intergenerational report forecasts Australia's demographic and economic landscape over the next 40 years, predicting a median age rise of more than six years, tripling of the over-85 population, and continued federal budget deficits. The report identifies artificial intelligence as a transformative force expected to boost productivity to 1.2%, while highlighting migration as key to maintaining working-age population growth despite falling fertility rates and deaths outnumbering births. The analysis points to younger Australians living longer with parents and…