The World Economic Forum (WEF) released a report on Tuesday estimating that simple, low-cost preventive health measures could save nearly USD 6 trillion globally by 2040. The report, titled The Longevity Dividend: The Business Case for Linking Health and Wealth, was developed in collaboration with Marsh and released on the sidelines of the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026 in Dalian, China.
Key Findings: Savings and Averted Cases
The analysis, covering 21 countries including India, found that interventions such as home safety improvements, physical activity programmes, and wider access to hearing aids could avert nearly 400 million falls at home, 8.5 million new cases of type 2 diabetes, and 2.4 million cases of dementia by 2040. These measures could generate more than USD 5.8 trillion in healthcare savings and an additional USD 645 billion in productivity gains over the next 14 years.
Economic Impact of Caregiving
The report also highlighted the economic burden of caregiving, noting that women who spend just one year outside the workforce providing care could see their retirement savings reduced by 24 per cent due to lost earnings and the gender pay gap. This underscores the need to integrate health, financial resilience, and labour-force participation policies.
Specific Interventions and Their Benefits
Home safety retrofits—such as installing grab bars, stair lighting, and rug tape—could prevent nearly 400 million falls globally and save more than USD 5 trillion in healthcare costs by 2040. Physical activity programmes supported by the World Health Organization could prevent 8.5 million diabetes cases, while expanded access to hearing aids could avert 2.4 million dementia cases and generate over USD 325 billion in healthcare savings.
Call for Policy Alignment
Haleh Nazeri, Lead of the Longevity Economy at the World Economic Forum, stated: "Harnessing this multi-trillion-dollar shift requires governments, businesses and individuals to begin addressing physical and financial health together." She added that such an approach can "strengthen financial resilience, reduce healthcare costs and increase productivity across economies."
Pat Tomlinson, President and CEO of Mercer, a Marsh business, said: "Longevity affects every generation, every industry and every economy. When leaders act early—breaking down silos between health, finance and labour—they can unlock economic growth, improve wellbeing and create lasting value for businesses, governments and society as a whole."
The report calls for stronger alignment of health, finance, and labour policies, as well as greater public-private collaboration to scale preventive interventions.
