Muscat – Omani nationals are now living longer thanks to the tangible rise in the average life expectancy over the past decades.
According to official demographic figures, the average life expectancy stands now at 76.9 years, up from 49.3 in 1970.
Demographic experts say the Omani populations is gaining roughly 2.5 years of life expectancy per decade.
Predictions suggest that, of the babies that are currently being born, the real life expectancy will be 104. In Japan it is 107.
The current demographic trends in Omani society and the opportunities and challenges of an ageing population will be discussed June 26 at seminar themed “Silver Economy”.
Ithraa Marketing and Media organization will oprganise the key forum at the Public Authority for Civil Aviation Training Centre in Al Hail North, bringing together experts and academic figures specialised in demographic shifts.
“Today, the world is in the early stages of a silver tsunami,” suggests Taleb al Makhmari, Ithraa’s Marketing and Media Director General and organizer of the popular Inside Stories series.
As the proportion of over-55s rises steadily across the planet, we are seeing the expansion of a generation with more energy, desire for life and spending power than ever.
“Think ‘silver’ rather than ‘grey’ and the increasing proportion of older consumers globally becomes a potential bonus, not a burden,” points out Al Makhmari.
In fact, the over-55s, or the silver surfers as they are often called, constitute the fastest-growing group in the populations of high income countries, with their number set to increase by more than a third by 2030, from 164 million to 222 million.
Older consumers are also the richest thanks to the rise in house prices and pensions. It is estimated that the grey market currently spends in the region of $4 trillion a year and that number is only expected to rise.
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