Ageing Societies as Ageless Societies: A Global Opportunity in 2025 and Beyond

The Ageless Swell

 The rising tide of ageing populations has been widely discussed. Here’s a quick refresher: By 2025, the global population will exceed 8.5 billion, with those aged 50 and above making up nearly 25%—over 2.1 billion people. In the U.S., this group will represent 35% of the population, in Germany, more than 40%, and in Japan, nearly 50%.

Rather than viewing this as a challenge, we believe these ageing societies could—and should—become “ageless societies” where individuals are not defined by a number of years, and the concept of ageing,along with the attitudes towards it, is innovated.

With extended lifespans and health spans, individuals are staying active and healthier for longer, maintaining their vitality and continuing to contribute to society. Advances in healthy living and longevity-focused medical progress are enabling this transformation.

Emerging Industries Fuelling the “Longevity Economy”

 The 50-plus cohort is a dynamic economic force, driving the longevity economy, currently valued at $8 trillion annually and projected to exceed $15 trillion by 2030. This demographic shift presents immense opportunities for innovation, growth, and societal evolution.

 Industries are already adapting. The healthcare sector, valued at $12 trillion globally, continues to grow with advancements in biotechnology, telehealth, and personalized medicine. Assistive technologies—including robotics, smart home devices, and accessibility solutions—are projected to become a $35 billion market by 2025.

 Lifestyle industries such as wellness tourism, age-friendly housing, and fitness are also booming. Medical tourism is emerging as a major opportunity, particularly in developing economies.

 Finance and Insurance: Room for Innovation

Worldwide, government retirement systems are under strain, calling for restructuring. The private sector has an opportunity to address unmet needs. While many industries have embraced product-market fit, the finance and insurance sectors seem to lag behind in serving ageing populations effectively.

Emerging solutions such as longevity insurance, hybrid annuities, and dynamic pension plans show great promise but are still underdeveloped. AI-powered platforms offering real-time, "hyper-personalized" financial advice and wearable health technologies enabling health-responsive insurance premiums could bridge these gaps. Blockchain-based systems could introduce innovative methods for pooling risks and increasing flexibility.

Whether these advancements will develop quickly enough to address the rapidly evolving needs of ageing populations remains uncertain. With the global insurance market projected to reach $7 trillion by 2025, the potential for transformative innovation is immense.

 The Ageless Should Foster Progress—Not Hinder It

Economic growth tied to ageing demographics depends on societal transformation. Positive perceptions of ageing are essential, as they influence both individual actions and societal attitudes.

Older generations should remain engaged—physically, mentally, and socially—to counter stereotypes that ageing hinders progress. By staying vital and forward-thinking, they can challenge misconceptions and show their relevance.

Rebuilding intergenerational bonds is equally important. Historically, elders passed wisdom to younger generations, but rapid technological progress, often driven by younger generations, may have disrupted this tradition. Platforms fostering mentorship, collaboration, and intergenerational learning could help re-establish these connections for the benefit of overall progress.

 In the Light of AI: Will “Purpose” Be Redefined?

In an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and automation, what will be left for humans to do? This question is especially pressing for older individuals, who may reflect on their lives and legacies as society undergoes profound changes in how value is created.

What will be our ikigai—our “reason for being,” as the Japanese call it—in a world where AI generates value on a large scale and frees individuals from routine chores? Will this newfound freedom feel enriching, or will it render any form of effort meaningless? Can AI help us discover our ikigai, or will it leave us feeling obsolete? Many activities we currently consider meaningful, along with ways of giving back, may evolve.

Mentoring and coaching, for instance, might increasingly shift from professional advice to personal and community domains, while “jobs” as we know them could diminish. Sports, games, and self-optimization may become dominant activities filling people’s days. Will “subcultures” around social activities emerge, with human interaction and fulfilment primarily found in these pockets, decoupled from the actual economy?

These scenarios may not materialize by 2025 but could shape the years ahead. Interesting times we live in—or, as Elon Musk puts it, “perhaps the most interesting times.”