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Opinion
Hong Kong should see the ‘silver economy’ as a golden opportunity
The city could reframe its ageing trend by working to become a global capital for ‘longevity finance’ and supporting East-West healthcare innovations
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Rachel Chan is a policy entrepreneur and an innovation ecosystem builder, working to align public policy, business interests and social impact goals.
Hong Kong stands at a definitive demographic crossroads. With one-third of our population projected to be over 65 by the 2040s, the city can either treat ageing as a fiscal burden or it can transform longevity into a sustainable growth engine.
Drawing inspiration from Andrew Scott and Lynda Gratton’s work on the 100-Year Life project, Hong Kong should boldly embrace longevity as a new development frontier. By leveraging our unique strengths in finance, world-class regulatory frameworks and strategic East-West positioning, we can become the global gateway to the Greater Bay Area’s massive “silver economy”.
As lifespans extend towards a century, we need new financing models for multi-stage careers, lifelong learning and flexible pension systems that support work into people’s 60s and 70s. Hong Kong can carve out a distinctive niche as the global capital for “longevity finance”, transitioning from a focus on simple asset accumulation to wealth preservation, income generation, long-term care, and cross-border health and life insurance solutions.
Hong Kong is also uniquely positioned to become Asia’s premier hub for investment in healthcare, biotechnology and assisted living facilities. The Hong Kong Investment Corporation is perfectly placed to anchor this sector, curating platform projects that de-risk private capital.
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