By Mark McCrindleThursday 9 Sep 2021LifestyleReading Time: 2 minutes
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data on regional migration show losses in NSW and VIC (-4,500 and -4,900) whereas QLD, WA and even SA grew (+7,000, +1600 and +600).
Australians are looking for cities and regions with lifestyle, affordability, amenities and safe communities where time can be saved with reduced commute times. Capital cities have a small leak that is worsening, with 11,800 people moving out of capital cities in the Jan-March 2021 quarter. Our capital cities will reinvent themselves as CLDs (Central Lifestyle Districts), rather than CBDs because lifestyle is everything to Australians.
This new WFH (Work From Home) era, global pandemic and recent recession have made Aussies think about what matters in life. Analysis of social trends shows we long for quality time with our loved ones in beautiful locations – and Australia has plenty of hidden gems that people are securing as their own patch of paradise.
One in two Aussies said in a McCrindle 2020 survey that they were thinking of relocating in the next year or two. Mobility is high on people’s lists, especially for those with extra time on their hands during lockdowns. Melbourne has been through this and it shows in the ‘escape from the city’ data while Sydney is in the thick of it presently (watch for this in future data). Brisbane is hoping to avoid extended lockdowns with their latest COVID-19 outbreak and implications on their brand as the 10th most liveable city in the world and global city of choice as newly declared host of the 2032 Olympics.
Australia has four cities in the global top-10 ‘most liveable cities’ list. Our leading liveable cities in 2021 are Adelaide (3rd), Perth (6th), Melbourne (9th) and Brisbane (10th) plus Sydney is 11th. This means that Australia is well positioned for future population growth. The 2021 Intergenerational Report revealed forecasts of 38 million Australians by 2061. As a leading global destination, Australia is positioned for strong population growth, which we’ve rapidly exceeded in the past. So when borders reopen Australia will be a global destination that provides world-class education services, safe and friendly communities for raising families and strong job markets across multiple industries. Australia is truly a remarkable country that is well positioned to be a global leader in the decade ahead.
Article supplied with thanks to McCrindle.
About the author: McCrindle are a team of researchers and communications specialists who discover insights, and tell the story of Australians – what we do, and who we are.
Feature image: Photo by Joshua Willson on Unsplash