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] Even under the most extreme hypothetical scenario, in which there are increases in volumes, prices, intensity, and coverage of services for older persons, the growth in health spending for Japan 1.0 percentage points higher than what would be expected from population ageing alone. WHO Kobe Centre
• [New] We find that health spending growth attributable to population ageing adds less than one percentage point to per person annual growth through 2060. WHO Kobe Centre
• [New] As Australia continues to address the challenges and opportunities associated with an ageing society, the aged care industry will remain central to ensuring quality of life, independence and dignity for older populations while driving innovation across the broader healthcare ecosystem. Trader
• [New] An ageing population will sharply increase demand for health and social care, with the social-care sector alone likely to require close to half a million additional workers over the next decade. Tony Blair Institute
• [New] Application Segment Analysis The heart diseases segment is projected to secure a 43.5% share through 2035, as cardiovascular issues continue to be a leading cause of illness and death among the elderly. Research Nester
• [New] AT&T targets shoppers who have ageing or damaged hardware that other retailers might reject. dealnews
• [New] The world's ageing and carbon intensive infrastructure will need upgrading and replacing. AtkinsRealis
• [New] Malaysian production was expected to decrease in 2026, due to ageing palms and labour constraints. Oils & Fats International
• [New] By 2030, multi-sensory inspiration will come from empathetic explorations of how to formulate for the unique sensory needs of underserved consumer groups, including the elderly, neurodiverse individuals or GLP-1 medication users, while enticing mainstream consumers. Mintel
• [New] The outlook to 2035 is exceptionally positive, fueled by an ageing global population, technological innovation in minimally invasive surgery, and personalized medicine. IndexBox Inc.
• [New] Scientists at the University of California, Irvine's School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences have discovered how muscle stem cells flip a switch to rebuild damaged muscle - a finding that could help address muscle loss linked to ageing, injury and widely used weight-loss medications. News-Medical
• [New] Chair of the American Society of Interior Designers, renovations will be more about functionality and longevity and less about aesthetics in 2026. Kitchen & Bath Business
• [New] At Expo West 2026, Morinaga Nutritional Foods will feature microbiome innovations that translate science into scalable solutions for healthy ageing. CNS Media
• [New] Australian and global heart health advocates now warn heart valve disease is the next cardiac epidemic, driven by an ageing population and persistently low awareness. Mirage News
• [New] A measured step up reduces the risk of sudden impacts on pension payments and provides greater certainty for older Australians managing tight budgets. Aged Care Guide
• [New] To capitalise, food manufacturers around the world are pumping big bucks into some of the biggest trends such as gut health, cognitive ability and longevity, fuelling forecasts of further growth that could reach $600bn by 2030. FoodNavigator.com
• [New] The regulatory breakthrough will occur when one geroprotective agent, likely SS-31, rapamycin, or a GLP-1 analog, demonstrates compelling healthspan benefits in a well-designed trial, forcing the FDA to create an ageing indication. The Peptide List's Substack
• [New] While many CPG companies chase Gen Z with TikTok-ready snacks and bold flavours in a bid to win life-long shoppers earlier, Conagra Brands is betting retirees - and their quest to age healthy - will drive the next wave of household penetration. FoodNavigator-USA.com
• [New] The U.S. Air Force's troubled Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program faces significant risks from software delays and an extended reliance on the ageing Minuteman III system. FDD
• Poised to address a critical gap in the global health landscape, the Society for Brain Health will serve as a formal body of scientists, educators and policymakers focused on enhancing cognitive capacity, longevity, and proactive health optimization. News-Medical
• In the coming decade, the demographics of one of the most devastating diseases of old age will shift dramatically in the United States. AL DIA News

Last updated: 18 March 2026