Sydney to Become ‘City With No Grandchildren’: Productivity Commission

The exodus of 30- to 40-year-olds has reached alarming levels, with many forced to relocate to more affordable areas.

High density housing is seen in an established suburb August 2, 2006 in Sydney, Australia. Ian Waldie/Getty Images

Sydney risks becoming “the city with no grandchildren” as soaring housing costs force 30- to 40-year-olds out, a senior government official warns.

Between 2016 and 2021, Sydney lost twice as many people aged 30 to 40 as it gained, with 35,000 newcomers compared to 70,000 departures, according to a new New South Wales (NSW) Productivity Commission paper (pdf).