Large numbers of baby boomers are retiring from the labour force or have already done so. At the same time the fertility rate has been declining. How will we achieve opportunity and prosperity for all Australians with this rising 'dependency ratio'? This question became the major theme of the Pursuing Opportunity and Prosperity Conference, organised by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, at the University of Melbourne, and The Australian. The conference in November, 2003, brought together a varied range of leading thinkers from academia, politics, public service, business, unions and community groups to debate the future policy agenda in the context of an ageing population. Raising labour force participation and sustaining productivity growth emerged as major imperatives to sustain future prosperity.
