Potential problems associated with an ageing population are well known. So too are the potential solutions – Australia needs to see a lift in its productivity growth and its participation rates. 

In particular, mature age participation can play a key role in tipping the balance between the number of future retirees and the number of workers available to support them.

Commissioned by the Australian Human Rights Commission in July 2012 this report from Deloitte Access Economics examines the potential economic benefits from an increase in workforce participation among older Australians.

The numbers are big:

• An extra 3 percentage points on participation among workers aged 55 and over would result in a $33 billion boost to GDP – or around 1.6% of national income
• A 5 percentage point lift in participation among this group would see around $48 billion in extra GDP – or 2.4% of national income.