"Longevity": Megatrend longevity as an underestimated blind spot

More and more people, especially in industrialized countries, are reaching old age in mostly good health. This is massively changing the demographic structure of Western societies. The consequences are far-reaching, as the so-called "longevity phenomenon" radiates into almost all areas of life. The FERI Cognitive Finance Institute has published a current Cognitive Comment on this topic entitled "Longevity: Megatrend Longevity - The Complex Impacts and Consequences of Rising Life Expectancy." "That innovative capacity and dynamism tend to decline in aging societies, while at the same time burdens on social systems increase sharply, is obvious. But the implications of the longevity phenomenon for the future are far greater and more complex," says Dr. Heinz-Werner Rapp, founder and director of the FERI Cognitive Finance Institute.

The longevity phenomenon as a "blind spot".

Due to its complexity, the longevity phenomenon is still severely underestimated or ignored on many levels, he adds. Consequently, the topic ranks as a typical "blind spot" in the public perception. Since there are no historical models for the new reality of an increasingly aging society, future developments are associated with numerous uncertainties. Nevertheless, strong trends and scenarios can already be identified today. These ranged from increased fragility of state social systems to questions of political participation and intergenerational justice to ethical aspects of "artificial" life extension. "In the demographic structural break defined by longevity lie great social and economic challenges, but also many opportunities. The topic must therefore always be considered in its entirety - with all the potential repercussions for other future topics," says Rapp.

Age-related innovations create new markets

Exciting future prospects are opening up above all from a medical and technical perspective. Here, for example, anti-aging approaches using genetics as well as new types of aids (avatars) using robotics, artificial intelligence and other innovative technologies are to be expected. In areas such as telecommunications, medicine, automotive technology and tourism, numerous developments can already be identified that are aimed at specific products and services for older people. According to the analysis, the longevity megatrend will have a strong impact on the economy, politics and society in the future. Long-term trends on the capital markets would also be determined by demographic factors. "The potential impact of the longevity phenomenon on all areas of life is still massively underestimated. Investors and asset owners should purposefully penetrate the blind spot and by no means ignore this topic," Rapp said. The FERI Cognitive Finance Institute will continuously monitor the most important topics in the longevity context and analyze the key drivers of the development, he added.

The analysis "„Longevity“: Megatrend Langlebigkeit - Die komplexen Auswirkungen und Konsequenzen steigender Lebenserwartung" has been published by the FERI Cognitive Finance Institute as "Cognitive Comment". It is available in German in the download area.