Real Estate Without Borders: Countries with the Youngest & Oldest Populations - And Why It Matters for Real Estate
Release Date: July 3, 2025
Introduction to the Episode’s Theme
In this insightful episode of Real Estate Without Borders, hosts delve into the significant impact of demographic trends—specifically, the distribution of young and senior populations across various countries—and how these trends influence real estate markets globally. The discussion intertwines personal anecdotes, data-driven analysis, and expert perspectives to provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the global real estate landscape shaped by population dynamics.
Personal Experiences in Texas and Austin
The episode begins with a brief but engaging conversation about the hosts' experiences in Texas, particularly in Austin. Host A shares his impressions of Austin’s compact size, high quality of life, and friendly community:
"Everything in Austin is like a 15-minute drive. No matter what time of the day, you can get anywhere in 15 minutes with no traffic." [00:34]
Host B echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the warmth and hospitality bestowed upon them by locals, contrasting it with their recent visit to New York:
"No one's trying to rip you off here at all... it's a high trust place." [03:00]
While this segment offers a personal touch, it sets the stage for the broader discussion on how different environments influence real estate opportunities.
Countries with the Fewest Seniors
The core of the episode focuses on identifying and analyzing countries with the lowest percentage of senior populations. Host B leads this segment by explaining the concept of the replacement rate—the number of births required to keep the population size stable, typically defined as 2.1 births per woman:
"The replacement rate is defined as 2.1 births per woman. So that would be keeping the population the same by having 2.1 births per woman." [07:42]
Countries surpassing this rate generally boast younger populations. The top countries with the fewest seniors include:
- Qatar – 1.7% of the population over 65
- United Arab Emirates (UAE) – 1.8%
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Uganda
- Mali
- Afghanistan
- Yemen
- Burundi
- Malawi
- Somalia
- Niger
- Ivory Coast
Host B highlights that most of these countries are in Africa, with UAE and Qatar standing out as economic powerhouses attracting immigrants:
"The top two really stood out to me because I would have assumed that this list would have been all Africa. But Qatar and the UAE." [10:19]
Countries with the Most Children
Shifting focus, the hosts explore nations with the highest percentages of children under 18, predominantly African countries. Central African Republic leads with 56.2% of its population below 18, followed by Chad and others. Larger nations like Nigeria and Ethiopia also feature prominently due to their substantial youth populations:
"Nigeria has 112 million people under the age of 18. That's insanity." [23:28]
Host A remarks on the economic potential tied to these demographics:
"As people grow up and start their own families, they're going to drive economic growth." [25:15]
Economic Implications and Real Estate Impact
The discussion then pivots to how these demographic trends impact economic growth and, consequently, real estate markets. Host A and B analyze the correlation between young populations and economic vitality, noting that while a youthful demographic can signal future growth, it must be supported by sound economic policies and infrastructure.
Host B observes:
"Population demographics alone won't grow your economy. You have to also have a good economy, driven by manufacturing, research and development." [29:50]
Real Estate Markets: Qatar and Dubai
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to examining the real estate markets in Qatar and Dubai. Host B presents data from the Global Property Guide, noting Qatar's stable housing market after a period of fluctuations:
"Their house prices seem to have peaked from a growth perspective... hovering around just above or just below zero price growth for the last five, six years." [16:51]
In contrast, Dubai’s market shows robust growth post-2021:
"Real house prices in Dubai are at about 16% year-over-year growth... Abu Dhabi's house price growth is more subdued but still impressive." [19:28]
Host A expresses curiosity about Dubai’s rapid development, comparing it to Qatar’s trajectory and hinting at future episodes focusing on specific real estate hotspots.
Population Growth vs. Economic Performance
The hosts address a critical juxtaposition: many countries with favorable demographic profiles are simultaneously among the worst-performing economies in 2025. This paradox highlights that a young population alone does not guarantee economic prosperity.
Host A points out:
"Many of the countries with the fewest seniors are also on the list of worst-performing economies of 2025." [28:15]
Host B elaborates, citing issues like civil conflict, political instability, and lack of economic diversification as primary impediments to growth:
"Those top places are plagued by political conflict, reliance on single sources of income, and instability, which severely hinder economic growth." [32:31]
International Migration Trends
Expanding the discussion, the episode explores the highest proportions of international migrants in various countries. Qatar leads with 76.7% of its population being international migrants, followed by the UAE, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and others. This high level of immigration is a strategic factor in maintaining low senior populations and fueling economic activities.
Host B notes:
"Countries like Qatar and the UAE run their economies on massive amounts of immigration, allowing them to sustain and grow despite having minimal native senior populations." [36:30]
In contrast, Western countries like Canada have lower proportions, highlighting different immigration dynamics and challenges in attracting high-net-worth individuals.
Key Insights and Conclusions
The episode concludes with the hosts synthesizing their discussions, emphasizing that demographic trends are a vital but not solitary factor in real estate investment decisions. They caution that while countries with young populations and high immigration rates present potential opportunities, economic stability and growth are equally crucial.
Host A summarizes:
"Having this global information makes you a better-educated realtor and equips investors with valuable tools to navigate international markets." [43:12]
Host B adds:
"Diversity in immigrant origins can mitigate social tensions and foster more robust economic contributions, making certain countries more attractive for long-term investments." [41:12]
Notable Quotes
-
Host A on Austin’s Lifestyle:
"Everything in Austin is like a 15-minute drive... It's pretty cool." [00:46] -
Host B on High Trust Environments:
"No one's trying to rip you off here at all... it's a high trust place." [03:00] -
Host B on Replacement Rate:
"The replacement rate is defined as 2.1 births per woman." [07:42] -
Host B on Economic Growth Dependencies:
"Population demographics alone won't grow your economy. You have to also have a good economy, driven by manufacturing, research and development." [29:50] -
Host A on Real Estate Investing:
"Having this global information makes you a better-educated realtor and equips investors with valuable tools to navigate international markets." [43:12]
Final Thoughts
This episode of Real Estate Without Borders offers a nuanced exploration of how the distribution of young and senior populations across countries can influence real estate markets. By intertwining demographic data with economic performance insights, the hosts provide listeners with a well-rounded perspective essential for making informed investment decisions in the international real estate arena.