Grey Matters and the Economics of Ageing (ft. Wei Yao, Head of Research & Chief Economist for APAC at Societe Generale)

This sound reminder points to the importance of enjoying life regardless of age. After all, age is just a number, right? Ageing has become a topical issue in the mainstream recently as experts warn of the incoming 'Silver Avalanche', which has already swept Europe and is making its way to Asia.

Global life expectancy has risen from 51 to 72 since 1960 and is expected to reach 77 by 2050. It is projected that there will be around 2.4 billion elderly (aged 65 or over) or 24% of the world's population by the end of the century.

Now, it is more important than ever to prepare for this demographic shift and ensure that older adults have access to the resources they need to live fulfilling lives. This, however, presents a dilemma, as while life expectancy is rising, families are shrinking as people have fewer children. The far-reaching effects are already being felt in many countries, including China.

In this episode of 2050 Investors, Kokou reflects on the ageing crisis and its impact on the world's population, its economy, and the planet. The conversation then shifts to an analysis of the silver economy: With the assistance of Yoda from Star Wars, who was once Siri but aged due to planned obsolescence, Kokou explores the impact of a shrinking workforce, pension fund deficits, and escalating healthcare costs on fiscal and monetary policy.

Later in the episode, Kokou talks with Wei Yao, Chief Economist for APAC at Societe Generale. With China's robust economic growth lifting millions out of poverty over the past decades, how does the country now address the imminent reality of an ageing population? There are solutions on the horizon, such as learning from countries like Japan and focusing on healthy ageing. However, striking a balance between economic growth and social welfare whilst creating a sustainable future is a complex challenge.