DUBAI, 28th April, 2025 (WAM) - The World Governments Summit Organisation (WGS), in collaboration with management consulting firm Oliver Wyman, launched a new report that explores the opportunities and challenges associated with the increasing numbers of senior citizens in future societies. This comes amid the leapfrogs witnessed in medical technologies that enhance human health and promote longevity.

Under the title “Longevity: Opportunities and Considerations”, the report traces the transformation societies have undergone over the past 75 years, particularly in the fields of medical technology, sanitation, preventive care, and lifestyle choices, that have collectively improved human health and raised longevity from 45 years in the 1950s to over 73 years today.

The report concludes that rising longevity in future societies presents significant opportunities, including greater economic contributions and healthier, happier lives for future generations. However, it highlights a range of challenges that require proactive, forward-looking approaches by governments, including promoting healthcare systems, implementing agile workforce policies, and developing community infrastructure to accommodate senior citizens.

The report addresses the issue of sustaining economic growth in aging societies and proposes effective tax strategies to help governments manage the financial implications of increased longevity. It underscores the importance of investing in innovative solutions, fostering public-private partnerships to improve wellbeing for senior citizens, and developing solutions to meet the challenges of extended lifespans.

Mohamed Yousef Al Sharhan, Managing Director of the World Governments Summit Organisation, emphasised that the rapid technological advancements and innovations, particularly in AI, usher promising opportunities while posing major challenges across various aspects of individual and societal life.

He noted that the healthcare sector, in particular, is poised for significant transformation, driven by the technologies which will positively impact public health and increase life expectancy. This, in turn, calls for governments to proactively adapt to the societal changes this shift will bring along.

Al Sharhan stated that the report aligns with the role of the WGS as a centre for developing government knowledge and experience and a platform for designing forward-thinking solutions to future challenges. It further responds to the growing global focus on the impact of technology and innovation on human health, and the relevant implications on the future society, which is witnessing increasing numbers of senior citizens. Such developments demand developing policies, tools, and strategies that turn this shift into opportunities to enhance wellbeing.

Adeel Kheiri, Partner, Health and Life Sciences at Oliver Wyman – India, Middle East and Africa, added, “As human longevity science gains momentum and achieves stronger scientific evidence, it will be important for governments to stand ready to harness longevity innovations, as well as prepare societies for the implications of increased human longevity.

This report serves as a crucial roadmap for governments and private organisations alike, guiding them to not only adapt to the implications of increased human longevity, but to thrive in a future where longer lives translate into richer contributions to our economies and communities. Together, we can unlock the full potential of an aging population, ensuring that the benefits of increased longevity are shared equitably across all segments of society.”

The report explores the concept of “longevity,” offering foresight into near-future innovations and their expected societal impacts. It focuses on the implications of increased longevity on both the government and the society, analysing its effects on labor market policies, retirement age, pension systems, and healthcare infrastructure.

The report states, “Governments need to boost their preparedness for aging societies by designing strategies and policies that turn longevity into a national asset and a driver of prosperity. Balancing ethical considerations in the use of health-enhancing technologies with cost and regulatory frameworks is a must.”

Several innovative case studies are featured in the report, including Altos Labs in the USA, which developed technologies to reprogram cells to its original state in an effort to reverse aging, Hevolution Foundation, a Saudi-based global nonprofit organisation that provides grants and investments to promote research and entrepreneurship in longevity science, and PureHealth, the UAE’s largest integrated healthcare network, which offers cutting-edge innovations aiming to “drive long-term growth, enhance quality of life worldwide, and deliver healthier, longer, and more fulfilling lives.”

The World Governments Summit is a global, non-profit organisation dedicated to shaping the future of governments. It explores the agenda of the next generation of governments, focusing on harnessing innovation and technology to solve humanity's universal challenges. Serving as a hub for experience exchange in government operations, future foresight, and technological innovation, the WGS connects thought leaders, policymakers, experts, and entrepreneurs to promote human development and improve social wellbeing.

The WGS focuses on analysing global trends, challenges, and opportunities, showcasing the latest innovations, best practices, and smart solutions to inspire innovative governance in addressing future challenges.

Oliver Wyman, a business of Marsh McLennan, is a management consulting firm combining deep industry knowledge with specialised expertise to help clients optimise their business, improve operations and accelerate performance. Marsh McLennan is a global leader in risk, strategy and people, advising clients in 130 countries across four businesses: Marsh, Guy Carpenter, Mercer and Oliver Wyman. With annual revenue of over $24 billion and more than 90,000 colleagues, Marsh McLennan helps build the confidence to thrive through the power of perspective.