Gen Y adults to re-shape the resi landscape, drive new high-density demand

However, it warns growth in demand for apartments will slow.

Senior manager, residential property at BIS Oxford Economics, Angie Zigomanis, notes that over the past 15 years, there has been rapid population growth among 20-to 34-year olds.

He said this is driven by a combination of the movement of Generation Y into this age group, as well as strong net overseas migration inflows concentrated in this age group.

“This has helped to support the boom in apartment construction in the past decade by supplying a steady stream of new tenants to the market,” he said.

“However, over the next decade, this surge in 20-to 34-year olds will translate to an acceleration in household growth of those in their late 30s and early 40s.

“By this stage, Generation Y will be increasingly coupling up and moving into the family-forming stage of life, and many will be looking to purchase a dwelling, most likely larger dwellings such as detached houses or townhouses, or family-friendly apartments.”
 
Trends

Mr Zigomanis said the 2016 census reveals significant life, dwelling and tenure changes occur as people move from their 20s and early 30s, into their late 30s and 40s.

He said they are likely to be living in family households with children.

“Households with children are dominant among 35-to 49-year olds, comprising 70 per cent of households with a household head in this age cohort. Households with children account for only 36 per cent of 20-to 34-year old households.”

He also said they are likely to be living in separate houses.

“Around 76 per cent of households, where the household head is aged 35 to 49, live in separate houses; up from 59 per cent of households with a household head aged 20-to 34-years old.”

And he said they are more likely to be living in a dwelling they have purchased rather than renting.

“Around 41 per cent of 20-to 34-year old households either fully own or are paying a mortgage on their dwelling, rising to 66 per cent of 35-to 49-year old households.”

Mr Zigomanis said that if Generation Y follows the trend of the previous generation, and eschews renting and favour larger dwellings as they enter the family-forming age of life, then this will support a decade-long boom.

“For new houses and land in the new housing estates on the outskirts of Australia’s major cities and affordable major regional centers. 

“Pressure is also likely to be maintained on house prices in established areas, as competition remains strong for Generation Y families looking to remain in the established areas where they have already been living and renting in smaller apartments.”

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