How to unlock the power of healthy longevity

In 1970, only 1 in 5 people globally were expected to live until age 80. By 2023, about half of the population reached that threshold.

This is remarkable progress. However, as the world’s population ages at a rapid pace, many countries are not prepared to address the challenges of this major shift. Known as the demographic transition, this trend has significant implications for labor markets, social policies, and health services.

This makes investing in people’s well-being throughout their life course more critical than ever to promote healthy, productive, and inclusive longevity. Aside from improving individual lives, the right policies can save health care costs, lower public expenditure in social protection, and protect countries’ essential human capital.

A new World Bank report, Unlocking the Power of Healthy Longevity: Demographic Change, Noncommunicable Diseases and Human Capital, proposes effective strategies to boost longevity that are fiscally responsible, with a focus on poverty and gender equity.
 

Promoting inclusive and healthy longevity

By 2050, at least a third of the global population will be over 60. This has led to the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, respiratory and heart conditions, cancers and depression, which are now the leading cause of death globally. Countries must act immediately to contend with this trend, ensuring effective prevention and control of non-communicable and chronic diseases that affect millions around the world.

Equity must be at the core of all initiatives to tackle these diseases. Evidence shows that the poorest are most vulnerable to NCDs due to higher rates of smoking, alcohol use, obesity, and limited access to affordable, quality health care. In low- and middle-income country, for example, NCDs already account for over 70 percent of deaths and a significant share of disabilities. Their impact creates intergenerational traps of poverty that affect the prospects of entire families, including children’s futures.

A gender equity lens is also critical. Although women tend to outlive men, they bear a high burden of chronic diseases. For instance, they are more likely to face long periods of illness and disability and experience gender-based violence, and often have access to fewer resources than men to tackle these concerns. On top of this, women’s traditional caregiving responsibilities can limit their ability to sustain paid employment and undermine their own well-being. Community-based care can be a cost-effective alternative to home care, and help women stay in the workforce longer.

Urgent action needed

Implementing the pro-active policies outlined in our report to support healthy longevity could save 150 million lives in low- and middle-income countries and also extend the lifespan of millions of others by 2050. Besides reducing avoidable deaths and serious disability, supporting healthy longevity also ensures that people in middle and older ages can function better–physically, mentally, and socially–resulting in significant economic benefits.

But this can only be achieved if governments take bold action now and adopt a cross-sectoral approach at all stages of life to promote healthy longevity, from childhood to older age. Some of these measures include improving child nutrition, girls’ education, and expanding the availability of long-term care.

To make these efforts work, we need collaboration on financial protection, long-term care, and fiscal policies across government sectors and beyond–with development partners, civil society, and labor markets.
 

Supporting countries through the demographic transition

Working to promote healthy longevity is an essential part of the World Bank’s goal to give 1.5 billion people access to better health services by 2030. This involves scaling up high-impact measures that deliver social protection for poor people and address long-term care needs.

Integrating such clinical NCD interventions into primary health systems, for example, are crucial to preventing unnecessary suffering and death. It is also cost effective. Through taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary beverages, countries can mobilize additional revenues to help finance longevity programs, cover essential health costs, and expand social protection programs for the informal sector. Over time, they will reap the financial benefits of their investment in health-promoting policies as people’s working lives are extended and productivity is enhanced.  

The World Bank will continue to use its unique expertise and evidence-based approach to work with countries as they develop national programs that promote healthy longevity. By providing financing for efforts that improve social protection and the well-being of populations, we stand ready to help countries overcome the demographic transition, protect their human capital, and support long-term economic stability.