SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Elderly healthcare in the Asia Pacific region will cost more than US$20 trillion between 2015 and 2030, according to a new report released today by Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC), a global professional services firm offering clients advice and solutions in risk, strategy, and people, and its newly launched Asia Pacific Risk Center (APRC). The center is MMC’s inaugural risk research institute in the region and is supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
The APRC’s report, Advancing into the Golden Years — Cost of Healthcare for Asia Pacific’s Elderly, forecasts a steep rise in elderly healthcare costs and calls for urgent action from governments, insurers, healthcare providers, corporates, and citizens.
Commenting on the findings of the center’s first report, Wolfram Hedrich, Executive Director, APRC said: “The Asia Pacific region is ageing at a faster rate than any other region in the world. Key stakeholders, including governments, insurers, and individuals, are not fully prepared from a financing, infrastructure, and workforce perspective for the escalating costs of caring for more than 200 million additional elderly citizens in the region.”
Pressing need for action on healthcare for the elderly in Asia Pacific
Although Asia Pacific is a diverse region, by 2030 it is anticipated that there will be a 71 percent increase in the number of elderly people aged 65 and above, compared to a 55 percent increase in North America and a 31 percent increase in Europe during the same timeframe.
Annual elderly healthcare expenditure is expected to reach US$2.5 trillion by 2030 in Asia Pacific, five times more than what it cost in 2015. Cumulatively, between 2015 and 2030, elderly healthcare is forecast to cost US$20 trillion, representing half of all healthcare expenditure in the region during that period.
The region will also face a shortage of an estimated 18.2 million professional long-term caregivers by 2030. Significant investment in both infrastructure and human capital will be required to meet the demand.
The report conveys a pressing need for action, and highlights global best practices and innovative approaches to elderly healthcare — such as the need for radical changes to public policy and healthcare business models — to which key stakeholders in Asia Pacific should pay particular attention.
To read the report, please click here.
About Marsh & McLennan Companies
MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES (NYSE: MMC) is a global professional services firm offering clients advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and people. Marsh is a leader in insurance broking and risk management; Guy Carpenter is a leader in providing risk and reinsurance intermediary services; Mercer is a leader in talent, health, retirement and investment consulting; and Oliver Wyman is a leader in management consulting. With annual revenue of $13 billion and approximately 60,000 colleagues worldwide, Marsh & McLennan Companies provides analysis, advice and transactional capabilities to clients in more than 130 countries. The Company is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and making a positive impact in the communities in which it operates. Visit www.mmc.com for more information and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @MMC_Global.
About the Asia Pacific Risk Center (APRC)
The Asia Pacific Risk Center is Marsh & McLennan Companies’ research institute dedicated to analyzing the key risks facing industries, governments, and societies in Asia, and identifying practical ways to build resilience and realize opportunity. The APRC helps decision makers address these risks through research and insight that combine MMC’s rigorous analytical approach to risk management with leading thinking from renowned research partners.
About BRINK Asia
BRINK Asia (www.brinknews.com/asia) is a digital platform made possible by Marsh & McLennan Companies and managed by Atlantic Media Strategies, the digital consultancy of The Atlantic. BRINK Asia delivers practical and timely insights to top executives and policy leaders in the Asia Pacific region and worldwide. It combines knowledge and expertise from across MMC with other leading experts on risk and resilience. BRINK Asia informs global decision makers on current and emerging risks relevant to the Asian market. BRINK Asia is part of the global BRINK digital platform (www.brinknews.com).
