Why Companies Are Investing in Longer, Healthier Lives- Expert View by

The world is ageing rapidly, and a new business race is emerging around a simple but difficult question: can technology help people spend more of their longer lives in good health?

The global population is entering an unprecedented ageing phase. The United Nations estimates that 0.70 billion people aged 65 or older are living around the world today, a number projected to reach 1.5 billion by 2050. By then, one in six people globally is expected to be over 65, compared with one in 11 in 2019.  That demographic shift is beginning to reshape business priorities. Companies are no longer looking only at how to treat diseases associated with old age; they are increasingly exploring technologies and services designed to help people remain healthier, independent and active for longer.

The change can already be seen in the investment flowing into the sector. In June 2026, the World Economic Forum highlighted the economic potential of relatively simple longevity interventions, estimating that measures such as physical-activity programmes, hearing aids and basic home-safety improvements could generate USD 5,800 billion in healthcare savings and USD 645 billion in productivity gains by 2040.

At the other end of the technology spectrum, biotechnology companies are pursuing much more ambitious approaches. In August 2026, Retro Biosciences was reported to be expanding a human trial of its experimental drug RTR-242, which targets cellular recycling processes associated with ageing and neurodegenerative disease. The treatment remains experimental, and its effectiveness has not yet been established.

Together, these developments point to a bigger transformation: longevity is becoming an economic story as much as a medical one.

The Real Problem: More Years, But Not Always More Healthy Years

Living longer does not automatically mean living healthier.

Global life expectancy has increased substantially over the past few decades, but healthy life expectancy has not always kept pace. The World Health Organization estimates that between 2000 and 2019, global life expectancy increased by 6.4 years, while healthy life expectancy increased by 5.3 years. The difference represents additional years that may be lived with illness or disability.

That gap between lifespan and health span is becoming one of the central ideas behind the longevity economy.

For governments, a healthier older population could mean lower pressure on healthcare systems and greater participation in the workforce. For businesses, it represents a growing demand for products and services that help people prevent disease, monitor their health and maintain independence.

This changes…