Hari Hara Priya Kannan
Data Scientist, Demographer & Speaker
Hari stands out as a speaker due to her unique ability to blend deep technical expertise with a warm, engaging delivery. Her presentations delve into complex demographic data and trends, particularly within the Australian context. What makes her exceptional is her ability to simplify intricate datasets, translating them into actionable insights that are both relevant and relatable for diverse audiences.
Quick Contact
Hari Haran is Chief Data Scientist at The Demographics Group and the analytical force behind the data-rich columns of Bernard Salt and Simon Kuestenmacher. A master of data science (RMIT University), Hari writes a monthly column for The Australian and is a sought-after speaker, delivering keynote presentations and panel appearances across Australia.
She engages audiences with expert insights on housing, migration, international education, ageing, regional opportunities, workforce change, and the rise of AI and digital skills. Hari prepares bespoke, data-driven presentations, translating complex trends into clear, actionable take-outs.
A trusted media commentator, she appears regularly on podcasts, radio, and national TV, and is occasionally commissioned to produce data-based thought leadership for client publications.
Topics
Australian Demographic Megatrends
Explores demographic trends in Australia using the latest census and ABS updates, plus addresses the effects of the pandemic and the recovery process.
Compares Australian trends within a global context. Make no mistake, demographics suggest that Australia is still the lucky country!
Identifies opportunities and challenges for Australian business and government in the 2020s flowing from demographic change.
Jobs of the Future
Considers the impact AI and automation on business and government via a demographic perspective.
Discusses the prospect of job displacement (it’s more a case of leaning into change).
Talks about the skills required for the workforce of the future and explores the emerging jobs in high demand.
Opportunities in Regional Australia
Post-pandemic demographic trends show a rise in regional populations within each capital city’s lifestyle zone.
Regional growth drives business and demand for local government services. This session talks about which businesses (via ABN growth) and what services?
The challenges in regional Australia often relate to housing supply and access to skilled (and non-skilled) labour.
Customer of the Future
Identifies key demographic markets based on population growth eg ageing boomers, overseas students and the Millennials at 40.
Talks about changes in the way customers interact with business and government eg apps, click-&-collect, self-checkout and more.
Argues that Millennials passing into their 40s later this decade will drive demand for housing upgrades, for growing-family lifestyle eg Bali holidays, and for commitment to saving for retirement.
The Great Aussie Housing Challenge
Discusses the pipeline of housing supply and reasons for the trade-skills shortage (eg baby bust).
Talks about the shift towards lifestyle housing within suburbia.
Argues that a “house of one’s own” is central to Australian values and that “the house” is undergoing rapid change in style, function and possibly also production.
