When experts declare that the “70s are the new 50s,” it’s more than just a catchy phrase.
Data from 41 countries released by the International Monetary Fund in time for this week’s World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings found that, on average, a person aged 70 in 2022 had the same cognitive abilities as someone who was 53 years old in the year 2000, meaning the world is aging better.
But while it’s worth celebrating, aging and longevity also unveil complex challenges that countries and development institutions such as the World Bank need to navigate. The challenges cover health, but also social protection, jobs, and financing.
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About the author
Jenny Lei Ravelo@JennyLeiRavelo
Jenny Lei Ravelo is a Devex Senior Reporter based in Manila. She covers global health, with a particular focus on the World Health Organization, and other development and humanitarian aid trends in Asia Pacific. Prior to Devex, she wrote for ABS-CBN, one of the largest broadcasting networks in the Philippines, and was a copy editor for various international scientific journals. She received her journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas.
