Numbers of Millennials (25-39 years old) have caught up to Baby Boomers (55-74 years old) as the largest generational group in Australia, according data relesed today from the 2021 Census.
In the 1966 Census, nearly two in every five people (38.5%) were Baby Boomers.
Baby Boomers and Millennials each have over 5.4 million people, with only 5,662 more Baby Boomers than Millennials counted on August 10 last year.
Over the last ten years, the Millennials have increased from 20.4% of the population in 2011 to 21.5% in 2021. In the same time, Baby Boomers have decreased from 25.4% in 2011 to 21.5% in 2021.
David Gruen, Australian Statistician: “The data collected by the Census assists governments and community organisations to understand the needs of each generation.
"We see that an increasing number of Baby Boomers are needing assistance with core activities – with 7.4% reporting a need for assistance, compared to 2.8% across the younger generations. This information will help frame policy that delivers positive outcomes for our communities.”
Census data shows the important role Baby Boomers are providing in caring for other peoples’ children, often their grandchildren.
Around one in eight (12.8%) Baby Boomers reported caring for other peoples’ children, and of these two thirds are female (67.5%). They are also the generation most likely to volunteer and provide unpaid assistance to others.
Millennials are of working age and are upskilling, representing 40 per cent of people attending vocational education, including TAFE, and 48% of people currently serving in the regular service of the Australian Defence Force.
Millennials and Baby Boomers report quite different religious affiliations, with nearly 60% (56.8%) of Baby Boomers reporting a Christian religious affiliation compared to 30% of Millennials (30.6%). More than 45% (46.5%) of Millennials reported that they had no religion compared to 30% of Baby Boomers (30.7%).
Generation Z (10-24 years old) represent 18% of Australia and 30% of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population.
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