Generation Trapped

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What does the ‘good life’ look like for young Australians — and what’s standing in the way?

Join us in Sydney on Wednesday, 20 May as Jacqui Munro, Jack Tossol, and CIS Senior Fellow Parnell Palme McGuinness explore the aspirations, barriers, and values of young Australians aged 18–34 and consider how policy can support or undermine their pursuit of a life well lived.

Generation Trapped uses qualitative research to segment young Australians into six ‘tribes’, characterised by shared traits, behaviours and life circumstances.

The paper finds that young Australians 18–34 have the same goals as previous generations – financial security, home ownership, meaningful work, and family formation. But many have lost faith that they will be able to achieve these things. Less than 4 in 10 young Australians believe they can influence the barriers blocking their aspirations. Those without a sense of personal agency are anxious and have low life satisfaction.

Join us as we take a closer look at each of the six tribes and discuss how policy can best respond to a cohort trapped by policies which address symptoms instead of the underlying cause of youth malaise.

Jacqui Munro: Liberal Member of the NSW Legislative Council and Shadow Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Heritage, and the Central Coast.

Jack Tossol: Financial adviser and Instagram comedian, Jack brings country-bred humour and sharp satirical insight to the world of policy and politics.

Parnell Palme McGuinness: Senior Fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies working within the Intergenerational Program.