Baby Boomer demographic trends in Australia and the United States

Recent reports and polling highlight shifting perceptions and political roles of the baby boomer generation in Australia and the United States.

In Australia, the Intergenerational Report released in late September addresses growing concerns regarding generational inequity. Boomers are frequently accused of benefiting from existing systems, such as capital gains tax rules and property inheritance, to the detriment of younger Australians. However, some observers note that many boomers developed specific financial habits, such as extreme thrift, rooted in the post-World War II era and the Great Depression.

In the United States, polling data indicates a significant political shift among baby boomers. According to the Cooperative Election Study, the generation moved from being almost evenly split between parties in 2018 to favoring Republicans by 56.5 percent in 2022. Recent Rasmussen Reports polling suggests this trend may continue, with voters aged 65 and older favoring Republican congressional candidates by a 34-point margin.