The message is simple: investing in the human and social capital of our later years is the only sustainable solution to the challenges of an ageing society. In other words, longer lives can be an extraordinary opportunity—if we adapt. But if we fail to adjust, they risk becoming a burden. Demography is not destiny. Few …

IMF Article with Peter Piot & Andrew Scott: The Longevity Dividend Read More »

The over-65 population will triple by 2070, placing immense strain on public finances. The ageing of the UK population is one of those themes so familiar to us all that it rarely gets the attention it deserves. We periodically bemoan our falling fertility rate, cheer our rising longevity, shrug about the worsening dependency ratio, point …

The Times: State pension crisis looms as lifespans increase Read More »

One of the most important economic trends that will determine our future is demographic change and the shift in the age distribution of the global population. Falling birth rates and rising life expectancy mean that, across the world, the average age of society is increasing—as is the proportion of older people. I am delighted to …

IMF: The Rise of the Silver Economy Read More »

“I think there is an unwritten law that every article or policy discussion about the ageing population must begin with some scary statistics to frame the debate. So here are a few from the UN. Between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population who are more than 60 years old will nearly double …

Age is more than a number when it comes to policy Read More »