Diverse findings in new report on ageing

A comprehensive national study of more than 2700 over-50s has revealed fascinating insights into the wants, needs, joys, and worries of older Australians.

The study, the third undertaken by the Council on the Ageing (COTA), takes a deep dive into the minds and lives of more than nine million Australians over the age of 50.

From quality of life, travel, employment and finances to housing, health and perceptions about the future, the research uncovers a mixed bag of trends and states of mind with major differences depending on respondents’ age, gender and where they live.

Conducted at the end of 2022, after another year of living with COVID-19, together with increased cost-of-living pressures, the research reflected a cohort whose feelings about the future were less buoyant than in the first two studies.

Living Gems Director of Sales and Marketing Andrew Coulter said the data showed increasing concern about the future, living costs, healthcare access and, for those in the workforce, feelings
of being undervalued due to age discrimination.

“But on the positive side, the research revealed the majority of those surveyed felt younger than their biological age – up to or more than 10 years younger. And 70 percent of people rated their quality of life as high,” Andrew said.

“Interestingly, those aged over 70 were far more likely to report their health as being very good compared to those in their 50s. And men were more likely than women to fit in two hours of exercise a week.”

Plans to travel were a particular focus of the 2023 study, with two thirds of those surveyed wanting to take a holiday within the next year.

“Sixty percent intend to take an interstate holiday while 35 percent have their eye on international travel.”

The first research report was launched in 2018 with the aim of monitoring trends among the over-50s’ demographic over time.

To read the full report visit cota.org.au/policy/state-of-the-older-nation