I came across an interesting sponsored blog post from a financial institution that had some useful facts about aging.
Best factoid: “…there are more centenarians, or people living above the age of 100, than at any point in history.”
Key points:
- “Breakthroughs in healthcare, sanitation and nutrition; mass urbanization; and the introduction of social security systems to supplement old-age income have all helped elongate the human lifespan.”
- “More than 80 countries worldwide already have fertility rates lower than replacement levels, and by 2050, the share of the global population above 65 is expected to rise to 16%, up from 8% today and 5% in 1950.”
- “While emerging markets are younger relative to developed economies, they are following a similar trend, often aging more quickly than historical precedents.”
Implications for the aging phenomenon:
- Study, work, retire is an obsolete model.
- Older people will have greater spending power.
- Economic sectors relevant to longevity are: pharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare providers, assisted care and senior living facilities.
Apparently, no one really knows what to expect as populations age.