Australia’s growth to slow as workforce participation falls over coming decades

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the government remains optimistic about the future despite big challenges detailed in latest intergenerational report

• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast
• Just how reliable is the intergenerational report?

Australia's growth rate will slow from a long-run average of 3.1% to 2.2%, with lower workforce participation, slower productivity and population growth weighing down economic wellbeing.

That is the conclusion of the intergenerational report (IGR), released on Thursday by the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, who will argue that the government is still optimistic" that Australia can own the future" through investments to lift productivity, including in renewable energy.

Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup