The stereotype of older Australians as uniformly wealthy is not just wrong – it’s fuelling ageism that hurts people of all ages, new research shows.
The 2025 State of the Older Nation report released today reveals that while many older Australians report feeling more positive about their own lives, the data reveals a starkly uneven reality.
One in four older Australians is living in poverty, almost half have felt lonely in the past week, and 38 per cent say they have experienced one or more forms of ageism since turning 50 – a trend that appears to be growing.
The research also shows older Australians in regional areas are being left behind, facing compounding pressures from rising living costs, reduced access to services, and social isolation.
COTA Australia – the leading advocacy organisation for older people – CEO, Patricia Sparrow says the findings should put an end to the ‘rich boomer’ narrative that continues to dominate public debate and drive poor policy.
“The lazy stereotype of the ‘rich boomer’ needs to be put to rest,” Ms Sparrow said. “This research shows a very different reality – one where one in four older Australians is living in poverty.
“For every older Australian living comfortably, there’s another counting every dollar, skipping meals, or even putting off healthcare.”
Ms Sparrow said the data exposes a sharp intragenerational divide – particularly in financial security, housing, health and connection – that directly challenges the popular narrative of older Australians as uniformly wealthy, secure and comfortable.
“The real divide isn’t between generations – it’s within them,” Ms Sparrow said.
“While some older Australians are doing well, many are not, and a significant minority are struggling with poverty, insecurity and declining wellbeing.
“This divide matters – not just for older people, but for Australia as a whole. Ageism that flattens older Australians into a single stereotype doesn’t just misrepresent reality; it drives poor policy and harms people of every age.
“Policy built around stereotypes will always fail the people at the margins, and right now, too many older Australians are being pushed to the margins.
Ms Sparrow said the findings of the latest State of the Older Nation report should prompt action from the Federal Government to deliver a long-term, comprehensive action plan for Australia’s ageing population.
The State of the Older Nation report found that just under half of those over 50 years don’t feel valued by society or politicians, and just over half don’t believe government policies meet the needs of people as they age.
“What’s required now is a ten-year, whole-of-government plan for an ageing Australia that deals with the real pressures people face as they get older.”
“An ageing population shouldn’t be treated as a crisis to manage. It should be planned for properly, with clear responsibility and long-term investment.
“If we don’t plan properly now, we’ll lock in inequality and instability for decades to come.”
The State of the Older Nation is a nationally representative biennial survey of Australians over 50, conducted by SEC Newgate. This is the fourth report of its kind in the series.
COTA Chairperson the Hon. Christopher Pyne will address the findings of the SOTON report in a National Press Club address today.
Media contact: Alana Mew, 0419 929 722 or Tamara Kotoyan, 0430 291 890
Key State of the Older Nation findings.
The full summary report can be downloaded HERE
• More than three quarters (76%) of older Australians rated their quality of life at 7 or higher out of 10. This represents a significant increase from the past two surveys, now approaching pre-COVID levels (78% in 2018).
• While things seem more positive at the personal, individual level, almost half the older Australians surveyed (48%) felt things are getting worse for older Australians at a general level, primarily due to cost-of-living pressures and associated impacts on affordability of healthcare, aged care and housing.
• Older people don’t tend to feel that their value as an older person is fully appreciated by society or politicians, with nearly half (46%) agreeing they are less valued now than when they were younger.
• Just over half (54%) agreed that government policies do not meet the needs of people their age, and nearly two-in-five (38%) older Australians report experiencing one or more forms of ageism since turning 50, in a trend that appears to be growing.
• There is a clear gender gap in workforce participation. 39% of women aged 50+ are in the workforce compared to 47% of men. This continues disparity continues beyond retirement age with 19% of men aged 67 or above are still working, vs just 10% of women.
• Ageism is a key deterrent preventing older Australians from wanting or being able to re-enter the workforce, with 36% reporting they do not want to return to the workforce due to ageism barriers.
• One-in-seven either delayed or skipped taking medicines for cost reasons, with prescription medicines most likely to be skipped. Women (17%) were more likely than men (11%) to skip medicines due to cost reasons, along with renters (26%) and those experiencing poverty (235%).