The Future of Us: Demography Gets a Makeover

by Liz Allen

Demography is far more important than destiny.

By tracing connections between a population’s past and present, demographers can foresee its future. The true wonder of demography, though, is not its ability to predict the future but to shape it. With energy and passion, demographer Liz Allen sets out the potential paths to make Australia better.

Bold, fearless and revealing,The Future of Usdoes more than help you find your inner statistician. Looking beyond births, deaths and marriages, Allen takes apart inequality, migration, tax and home ownership. She also dissects how the word ‘population’ became so charged, daring to ask what Australia might look like in 20 years if we had zero immigration.

The Future of Us gives demography a makeover and sets out future possibilities for a better us … just like a Choose Your Own Adventure, but for the nation.

‘Liz Allen’s romp around Australia’s demography is highly readable, and makes a compelling case for the benefits of immigration and the need for a comprehensive population policy.’ — Michelle Grattan

‘Put on that superpower cape. Liz Allen’s heartfelt study of how Australians live, die and migrate takes you from now to tomorrow and makes a plea for rethinking how we talk about migration and a renewed Australia. Forget the hate and hyperbole and replace it with hope.’ — Jenna Price

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2020

Reviews

[Bel Rowntree]

I never knew a book about Australia’s demography would be a gripping page turner, but I sped through this in just over a day! I think that’s a real testament to Dr Liz Allen’s ability to discuss what the data tells us about our past, present and future in a really engaging and compelling way.

This book is so important in a time where facts and data and truth about Australia’s population have never been more manipulated or spun for political advantage. I’ll never listen to a politician talk about “congestion” the same way again.

[Andrew Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm increasingly convinced most Australians don't understand the country they actually live in (probably true of most people in most nations tbh). Thankfully for us, Dr Liz Allen rides to the rescue offering a pithy, enjoyable and compelling portrait of Australia.

Much of our future well-being relies on an accurate picture of just who we are as a nation and how we are changing. Too many debates, from climate and infrastructure to migration and retirement ages are based on people going to war on the back of dodgy pictures of where they live and who lives around them.

That's understandable, and only rarely from deliberate ignorance. Too few have gone before Allen in trying to get the details out to the public and wrapping it in a compelling story of where the data should lead us. Too many leaders have not had the courage to speak to the country as adults about what it looks like. The Future of US is far from a reference compendium of stats. It's designed to help you understand the country you live in from the angle of demography. That's really useful.

This is a book that wears its scholarship lightly, just enough details and data to get the points clearly across (and the footnotes in the back to follow up), but never too many to slow down the writing or get distracted in the focus. There's bits I'd quibble about, and always more to be said on any issue, but this book has such a clear sense of what it is and what it's trying to do, that such issues slide away.

Allen's a good follow on Twitter (@DrDemography), and any future books of hers will be automatic purchases for me. Recommended.

[Sharon Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave a great introduction to the field of demography - very gently. But it also put it in context with some of the big issues in Australia such as immigration and various policies over the years. It was refreshing to be taken back to the benefits of data collection and the importance of reporting all results - not just the results that tell one story. Loved it.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit dry but extremely interesting! As a foreigner, I FINALLY felt validated that I'm not just stealing Australian's jobs. I cannot tell you how many people joke (with a hint of truth) about me having stolen their jobs.

[BookWorm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating read. The science was presented in an accessible manner and the writing kept me engaged the whole way through. I was hooked from the introduction where the author gave us her personal story.

The book provides important insight into our population and identifies critical issues that our politicians are failing to address. I feel all Australians should read this book so they can be armed with facts and realise when politicians are throwing out distractions to avoid focusing on the real issues.

[Robert Bourgault Du Coudray · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite a few pages on the history of Australia with a harsh critic of English settlers.
Then, when looking into the future, looks like Australia is threatened by an aging population that will put pressure on the working force (like all developed countries). The solution according to the author is to open immigration to balance the age pyramid. Could there be alternate solutions than immigration? I am sure that yes, but the author does not look into any of them. Not very satisfying for me.

[Kim Johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demography truly is a superpower as Allen explains so eloquently. She articulates what we know about how we live and the people around us by understanding the demographic forces at play. I'm a demographer and have lent this book to friends and colleagues so they better understand what I do and how to use population ideas in their day to day work.

[David Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to read, informative book, that does not skip the details. Allen's explanations of demography and the issues facing Australia is timely and well argued. She breaks down several myths with clear data, and communicates in a clear and personable manner. Recommended.

[Alex Lockhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

With only a novice understanding upon the study of demography - and Australia's political parties rather benign appreciation toward it - this book was an easily digestible introduction encouraging further investigation of it's subject.

Liz Allen has granted me a great new perspective upon the greater consequences of short term, populist political manoeuvres and understanding of my own position within Australia's 'population ladder'.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very approachable and friendly introduction to how demography matters to all of us, and how we should not fall for the lies peddled by those seeking to twist data to their own ends.