A study by Australia’s Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
(RIRDC) has found that the number of young people interested in becoming farmers
or agriculturists has continued to decline since 1991, and therefore the
population of farmers over the age of 65 years has increased (Rural Diversity,
RIRDC, Issue No. 14, Summer 2014).
The
report “New Entrants to Australia’s Agricultural Industries – where are all the
young farmers?” examined the demographics of the farmer population between 1976
and 2011 using Australian Bureau of Statistics population census data. It covered
8 census data periods. The study examined the extent of ageing in the
Australian farm sector, and the influencing factors.
The
study found that the number of farmers aged under 35 years had fallen by 75%
since 1976, and thus the number of farmers aged over 65 years had increased by
55%.
Longer
years in education have meant that people under 25 years are not entering the
farm industry – and fewer opportunities are also an inhibiting factor. With older
farmers staying in the industry, to retain financial independence, the
opportunities for young farmers has declined. In addition, the increasing age
of first marriage in Australia (i.e. getting married in the late 20s instead of
earlier) has reduced the number of young female entrants into farming.
Since
2001 there has been an asset price bubble in the land market, the baby-boomer
farmer population has reached retirement age, the Australian dollar temporarily
rose in value to parity with the American doller, there has been a global
financial crisis, and Australia has had a decade-long drought in large parts of
the agricultural nation. Each of these influences may have re-shaped the
demographic structure of the Australian farm population.
Despite
the decline and the numerous factors, the study concluded that there was little
cause for concern in linking the ageing farmer population and low recruitment of
young people with issues over food security. However, the changes in the
demographic structure of the farming industry will have implications for rural
communities, including the types of services and support that may be required
in the future.
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