Falling Behind: Young People and Australia’s Growing Wealth Divide examines the widening economic gap between generations and the growing challenges young Australians face in achieving financial security and building a stable future. The report explores how changes in income, employment, housing affordability and wealth are shaping the experiences and opportunities of younger generations, particularly as the cost of living continues to rise.
It highlights the increasing difficulty young people face in securing affordable housing, building savings and wealth, and maintaining financial stability. The report also considers how economic and housing insecurity can affect young people’s wellbeing and mental health, and how these pressures can have long-term consequences for their future.
By examining these challenges through an intergenerational lens, Falling Behind asks whether younger Australians are being given the same opportunities to prosper as the generations before them. It highlights the need for policies that improve economic security, access to affordable housing and opportunities for young people, while supporting a fairer Australia in which younger generations are able to build secure and fulfilling lives.