Global Scans · Seniors · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Between 2000 and 2050, the proportion of the world's population aged over 60 will double from about 11 per cent to 22 per cent.

• [New] Ageing is the single largest risk factor for dementia, but our understanding of how it drives disease is still incomplete. ScienceDaily
• [New] Saudi Arabia's forthcoming Public Pension & Savings Programme will bring approximately 10 million expatriates into formal savings while raising contributions and aligning the retirement age to 65. State Street
• [New] The Trump administration's attacks on immigrants will reduce the size of the care labour force in both child care and ageing and disability care, squeezing the labour supply further and negatively impacting careworkers' ability to support themselves, their families, and care recipients. / USA The Century Foundation
• [New] Fear of seeking healthcare support among married Chinese elderly with arthritis negatively impacts self-care and medication adherence. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Active and healthy ageing is a common problem in all European countries but could also be an opportunity for Europe to spearhead the quest for innovative solutions. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Rising Dementia Rates & Costs: The National Institutes of Health reports that the ageing of the US population will result in double the amount of new dementia cases per year by 2060. NIHCM
• [New] The number of cancer cases is projected to reach 34 million by 2050, a 67% increase from 2024, solely based on population ageing and growth. American Cancer Society MediaRoom
• [New] Ageing populations in Europe, Japan, South Korea, and North America represent significant long-term opportunities for ingredient suppliers capable of supporting premium and clinically supported formulations. Research Nester
• [New] With Singapore's population ageing and dementia cases expected to climb, the Agency for Integrated Care, which coordinates care services for seniors, helped train staff to recognise and support commuters living with dementia. ST
• [New] The US faces a 2026-2027 retirement surge while roughly half of retirees report lacking a withdrawal plan, underscoring the need for protective defaults that are easy to adopt. State Street
• [New] Health NZ is investing $300m of its own budget to help deliver the first three years of the Health Digital Investment Plan, which will replace ageing devices, modernise radiology systems and upgrade core IT platforms. RNZ
• [New] Singapore's ageing society creates significant opportunities for innovation and technology adoption. ST
• [New] While 81% of pre-retirees recognize that retirement health care costs are high, more than half - 54% - incorrectly believe Medicare will cover all of their health care expenses. LiveNOW from FOX | Breaking News, Live Events
• [New] Once in place by mid-2027, the minivan-sized spacecraft will use its 10-foot arms to attach a jetpack to an ageing communication satellite. KIRO 7 News Seattle
• [New] Today's structural ageing trend will create significant opportunities and drive transformation in the global economy, particularly as supportive policies, healthcare advancements, and wealth accumulation enable longer, active and dignified living. Bank of Singapore
• [New] The Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030) is a global WHO-led collaboration to improve the lives of older people, their families and their communities. World Health Organization: WHO
• [New] UK adults could enjoy 10 extra years of longevity by switching to a diet higher in whole grains, nuts, and fruits, and lower in sugar-sweetened beverages and processed meats, for instance. HuffPost UK
• [New] Maldives, Kuwait, and China are projected to have large gains in female longevity, with their female HLEs having probabilities of 49.3%, 41.2% and 31.6% to be among the top of all countries in 2030, which is a substantial improvement to their rankings in 2019. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] The old age dependency ratio in the EU is projected to rise significantly in the coming decades, which is creating structural pressure to automate tasks in eldercare, logistics, and manufacturing to offset a shrinking workforce. Market Data Forecast
• The shift to a longevity society increases demand for healthcare and long-term care, with the number of people needing support expected to rise from 36 to 48 million by 2070 and the share of people aged 80+ doubling. Joint Research Centre

Last updated: 12 August 2026