Global Scans · Aging Societies · Weekly Summary

• [New] Bangladesh offers a stunning $100 billion investment opportunity and may become the next industrial and digital economy center with a population of 170 million, 65% of whom are in the working age group! The Daily Star
• [New] Like many European countries, Switzerland needs immigration because birthrates are falling and it faces a steadily ageing population, with the proportion of people aged over 65 due to climb to more than 27% from 21% by 2055. The Guardian
• [New] The final phase, Innovation and Integration, will run from 2031 to 2035, when Asean member states are expected to develop age technology ecosystems, encourage cross-border investments in silver industries and fully integrate aging concerns into regional development planning. SunStar Publishing Inc.
• [New] Looking ahead, Viet Nam faces rising challenges, including an aging population, global trade shifts, rapid automation, and climate risks. World Bank Group
• [New] Evidence shows that living in cold homes is associated with poor health outcomes and an increased risk of morbidity and mortality for all age groups; furthermore, studies have shown that more than one in five (21.5%) excess winter deaths in England and Wales are attributable to cold housing. Institute of Health Equity
• [New] The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change reckons annual spending on health and disability benefits for working-age adults will rise to £73.4 billion by 2030. / UK Spiked
• [New] Social Security's retirement trust fund is projected to face a funding shortfall in 2032, a year earlier than last year's projections, while Medicare's hospital insurance trust fund will be unable to pay full benefits in 2033, which is unchanged from last year's estimate. WSLS 10
• [New] Sweden's right of centre government will drop its controversial plan to cut the age of criminal responsibility to 13 years old from the current 15 years old. ST
• [New] Ageing vehicle fleet: Continued ageing of the U.S. light-duty fleet will drive increased demand for repair and maintenance services. The BRAKE Report
• [New] In 2035, just 15% of 10 - 15-year-old stock will be electric. Road to 2030
• [New] Faced with an aging population and growing reliance on caregivers, New Mexico is making a new plan to address dementia and brain health through 2031. Searchlight New Mexico
• [New] The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) will develop and launch a new Age-Friendly Health Plan Program to strengthen accountability for age-friendly care across Medicare Advantage plans nationwide. The John A. Hartford Foundation
• [New] Owing to population growth, ageing, and change in prevalence, we forecast an increase in cases of other musculoskeletal disorders from 494 million in 2020 to 1060 million in 2050. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Children born over the next two decades enter the workforce starting in the 2040s, so PWBM's lower fertility path translates into a smaller taxpaying workforce, a higher old-age dependency ratio, and a higher cost rate in the second half of the century. Penn Wharton Budget Model
• An undeniable demographic shift will push over 14.8% of ASEAN's population past the age of 60 by 2030, with the total number of senior citizens expected to reach 127 million by 2035. Philippine Information Agency
• Japan, South Korea, Germany, Italy, and eventually China face ageing populations and shrinking workforces, a collision that threatens to overwhelm healthcare systems and eldercare facilities within a generation. Educational Technology and Change Journal
• India alone is home to over 150 million people above the age of 60 - a number expected to double by 2050. yogain
• Japan's working-age population is projected to decline by 31% between 2023 and 2060. Memeburn
• Working-age populations across key industrial regions could fall by up to 22% by 2050. / Japan Memeburn
• As global life expectancy continues to rise, promoting healthy ageing has become a critical public health priority, with the older population projected to more than double by 2050. JMIR mHealth and uHealth
• With older adults growing at a faster rate than any other age group in the United States, states will see increasing demand for health care while more people leave the workforce for retirement. National Governors Association
• (WJMN / WBUP) - A federal funding shift for Medicare Advantage plans is providing some breathing room for more than 1.4 million Michigan seniors, though advocates warn a widening gap with inflation still threatens rural healthcare access. MyUPNow.com
• By 2030, more than 73 million Americans will be over the age of 65, bringing with them increasingly complex health needs. NationsBenefits

Last updated: 18 June 2026