Younger Australians feel like the game is rigged. And with the spending gap widening, who can blame them?

Older Australians are spending above the inflation rate, counteracting efforts to cool the economy and further disadvantaging younger generations.
By now it should be no surprise that young Australians are doing it tough. In the post-Covid era, as the cost-of-living crisis tightens its grip on the nation, intergenerational wealth inequality has significantly worsened, and today’s young Australians are now poised to be the first generation worse off than their parents.
A recent study into the spending habits of young people confirms how stark the divide has become. The CommBank iQ Cost of Living Insights report reveals Australians in their mid-to-late 20s have dramatically cut back their spending compared with last year – far more than any other age group. Meanwhile, those over 65 are spending at rates surpassing inflation on travel, retail and eating out, cutting back only on charitable donations.