Productive Longevity: The New Macroeconomic Imperative

Longer lifespans are reshaping the global economy. By 2050, nearly two billion people will be over the age of 60, forcing governments, investors, and employers to rethink how work, capital, and productivity are designed. Yet longevity is still framed as a fiscal burden rather than what it truly is: a major, underleveraged productivity opportunity.

In this op-ed, Kearney’s Senior Partner, Javier Herrera introduces the concept of productive longevity, a shift from traditional retirement to extended contribution across longer careers. The piece explores how labor markets, capital allocation, and public policy must evolve, and why sovereign wealth funds and private capital will play a critical role in scaling the longevity economy.

Read the op-ed to understand why longevity is no longer a demographic challenge, but a core driver of future competitiveness.