Australia is entering a period of long-term labour scarcity and rapid demographic change driven by ageing, low fertility, and migration-led population growth. Hari Hara Priya Kannan, Chief Data Scientist at The Demographics Group, explains why these shifts matter for business and the economy. She outlines how population trends influence workforce availability, consumer behaviour, and long-term planning, and why these forces are structural rather than temporary. 

Hari discusses Australia’s increasing cultural diversity, the challenges of attracting and retaining talent, and the growing mismatch between skills supply and demand. She also explores how generational change is reshaping expectations of work, why small businesses can play a critical role in workforce development, and how AI will reshape tasks rather than eliminate jobs, increasing the value of adaptability, judgment, and human skills. 

Takeaways 
Australia’s labour shortages are structural, driven by ageing populations and low fertility. 
Most population growth now comes from migration rather than natural increase. 
Businesses must plan for constant workforce churn and intensifying competition for talent. 
Australia’s workforce and consumer base are becoming more multicultural and multi-generational. 
Younger generations prioritise purpose, flexibility, and alignment over traditional career loyalty. 
Small businesses can attract talent through authenticity, growth opportunities, and mentorship. 
AI is replacing tasks, not people, increasing demand for human judgment. 
Adaptability and continuous learning are essential skills in a rapidly changing economy. 

Follow Hari Hara Priya Kannan 
https://www.tdgp.com.au/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hari-hara-priya-kannan/ 

Books on this episode 
Adapt: Mastering change in four steps by Andrea Clarke https://amzn.to/3LtNtFC 

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners 

Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/ 

Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ 
Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO 
Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. 
Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. 
Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) 

Follow me: 
on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles
on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth 

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Australia is entering a period of long-term labour scarcity and rapid demographic change driven by ageing, low fertility, and migration-led population growth. Hari Hara Priya Kannan, Chief Data Scientist at The Demographics Group, explains why these shifts matter for business and the economy. She outlines how population trends influence workforce availability, consumer behaviour, and long-term planning, and why these forces are structural rather than temporary.&nbsp;
Hari discusses Australia&rsquo;s increasing cultural diversity, the challenges of attracting and retaining talent, and the growing mismatch between skills supply and demand. She also explores how generational change is reshaping expectations of work, why small businesses can play a critical role in workforce development, and how AI will reshape tasks rather than eliminate jobs, increasing the value of adaptability, judgment, and human skills.&nbsp;
Takeaways&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Australia&rsquo;s labour shortages are structural, driven by ageing populations and low fertility.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Most population growth now comes from migration rather than natural increase.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Businesses must plan for constant workforce churn and intensifying competition for talent.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Australia&rsquo;s workforce and consumer base are becoming more multicultural and multi-generational.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Younger generations prioritise purpose, flexibility, and alignment over traditional career loyalty.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Small businesses can attract talent through authenticity, growth opportunities, and mentorship.&nbsp;</li>
<li>AI is replacing tasks, not people, increasing demand for human judgment.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Adaptability and continuous learning are essential skills in a rapidly changing economy.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Follow Hari Hara Priya Kannan <a href="https://www.tdgp.com.au/">https://www.tdgp.com.au/</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hari-hara-priya-kannan/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/hari-hara-priya-kannan/</a>&nbsp;
Books on this episode Adapt: Mastering change in four steps by Andrea Clarke <a href="https://amzn.to/3LtNtFC">https://amzn.to/3LtNtFC</a>&nbsp;
Watch the episode on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners">https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners</a>&nbsp;
Newsletter &ndash; each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter&nbsp; <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/">https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/</a>&nbsp;
Books &ndash; Learn more about our books&nbsp;<a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/">https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/made-to-thrive/"> Made to Thrive:</a> The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/onboarded/">Onboarded:&nbsp;</a>How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.&nbsp; <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/onboarded-for-managers-book/">Onboarded for Managers:</a> Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.&nbsp; <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/">Bigger isn&rsquo;t Better, Better is Better:</a> Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)&nbsp;
Follow me: on <a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles">https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles</a> on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth">https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth</a>&nbsp;
Enjoying the show? Leave a review&nbsp;

A place for the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers.

The Evolution Partners is a weekly podcast hosted by Brad Giles. Join Brad as he engages in conversations with some of the world’s sharpest minds, learning a bit more about them and delving into what makes them tick.

A place for the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers.
The Evolution Partners is a weekly podcast hosted by Brad Giles. Join Brad as he engages in conversations with some of the world’s sharpest minds, learning a bit more about them and delving into what makes them tick.

The Evolution Partners

Each week Brad Giles talks with the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers who are helping to build great companies in their own way.

We learn how the work they’re doing is creating an impact and get to know a little bit more about them, and what makes them tick.

Each week Brad Giles talks with the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers who are helping to build great companies in their own way.
We learn how the work they’re doing is creating an impact and get to know a little bit more about them, and what makes them tick.