Population growth and geographic distribution

In 2016, people aged 55 years and over comprised approximately 30 percent of the population of Greater Geelong. The number of people aged 55 and over is expected to increase by 68 percent between 2016 and 2041(from approximately 72,000 to 120,000)^**.

Growth in the number of older residents reflects the wider, rapid growth in Greater Geelong’s population, which is projected to increase by 64 percent between 2016 and 2041 (from approximately 240,000 in 2016, to 393,000 in 2041).

Older people may face additional challenges related to the significant increase in the overall number of people living, working and visiting Greater Geelong. Higher volumes of people and traffic may increase risks in relation to safety, falling and reduced enjoyment, while significant changes to buildings and streetscapes may result in confusion and a reduced sense of connection.

Community contribution

Older people make a significant contribution to the community socially and economically: they contribute to the local economy and promote economic sustainability; they provide assistance and care through volunteering and as informal carers; and contribute to civic life and community strengthening through ongoing participation in their local communities.

1. Workforce participation: 28.7 percent of residents aged 55 and over in the municipality are still engaged in the labour force, with 33.7 percent of the workforce aged 55 and over employed in professional and managerial positions. This indicates a proportion of the population are educated and affluent.
2. Volunteering: 20.5 percent of the population in Greater Geelong reported doing some form of volunteer work in 2016. Of the total population that volunteer, 37 percent are aged 55 and over.
3. Caring responsibilities: Older people play an important role as informal carers, with 15.1 percent of people aged 55 and over providing unpaid assistance to others. Of the total carers in Greater Geelong, 45.5 percent were aged 55 and over.

Central Geelong attracts older people that reside outside the municipality for retail, arts and cultural activities, medical services, business opportunities, and other services and activities. In addition, the region’s natural environment and major events attract large numbers of older people for tourism and recreation.

Diversity

The diversity of older people living, working and visiting Greater Geelong adds to the vibrancy and cultural fabric of the community. It is important to recognise and celebrate the variety of individual experiences and preferences. People over the age of 55 are not a single, uniform group; they have diverse backgrounds in terms of culture, gender and sexuality.

1. Gender: 45.7 percent of the population aged 55 years and over are male, however females live longer than their male counterparts and females account for 71.4 percent of all centenarians in the municipality.
2. Country of birth: 16.3 percent of residents were born overseas, with 10.1 percent of residents born in countries where English is not the main language. The top countries of birth for residents aged over 55 years include England, Italy, Netherlands, Germany and Croatia.
3. Main language: 10.6 percent of all residents speak a language other than English at home, with the most commonly spoken non-English languages including Italian, Croatian, Mandarin, Macedonian, Greek, German and Serbian, as well as some emerging languages such as Punjabi, Vietnamese, Arabic and Hindi. It is particularly important to note the main languages of older, lone persons with limited English fluency which are: Croatian, Italian, Macedonian, Greek, Polish, Spanish, Russian, Serbian, Ukrainian and Bosnian.
4. Indigenous: For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons, the ageing process is considered to commence at 45 years of age. Just over half a percent of the population aged 45 and over identify as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or both. One in seven Indigenous Australians aged 50 and over were removed from their families.
5. LGBTI: Current estimates put LGBTI people as representing 11 percent of the population. LGBTI people are likely to be represented by at least the same proportion in older populations.

Social and economic disadvantage

Many older people in Greater Geelong face disadvantage and other barriers that affect their health and wellbeing, as well as opportunities for social and economic engagement in their communities.

1. Need for assistance: Approximately 12.6 percent of the population aged over 55 years requires assistance with core activities. Not surprisingly, the requirement for assistance increases with age, with approximately 45.4 percent of individuals over 85 years requiring assistance.
2. Income: In 2016, almost 57.6 percent of the population aged 55 and over were receiving a personal income at the modest level ($499) or below. Just over 5.1 percent were receiving no, or negative income. In June 2020, around 64.7 percent of the total population aged 65 and over was receiving an age pension allowance.^**
3. Geography: There are pockets of advantage and disadvantage which will require different supports and programming depending on location. The areas with the highest level of socio-economic disadvantage include: Norlane – North Shore, Whittington, Corio and South Geelong – Thomson - Breakwater.
4. Housing: 24.5 percent of the population aged 55 and over lives in a lone person household. Older women, and pensioners who are renting, are at increased risk of homelessness.
5. 2 PHIDU, 2021, Social Health Atlas of Australia, Victoria, Data by Local Government Area, February 2021.