UAE targets $100 billion economic boost by extending healthy lifespans

The UAE and wider Gulf region face a $50 billion annual economic burden due to non-communicable diseases, despite life expectancy now reaching nearly 80 years. A new analysis by Deep Knowledge Group, released on Sunday, 30 August, reveals that while the "battle for lifespan" has been won, a growing gap in "healthspan"—the years spent in good health—could cost the region billions in lost productivity. Closing the Healthy Life-Year Gap Research indicates that the Gulf loses approximately 4,186 more healthy life-years per 100,000 people compared to the OECD average. Major contributors to this disparity include diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. Dmitry Kaminskiy, General Partner of Deep Knowledge Group, noted that much of the economic damage occurs among working-age individuals who remain employed but unwell, placing pressure on both corporate productivity and household finances. The study estimates that chronic diseases cost the GCC $20 billion in lost productivity and $30 billion in direct treatment costs annually. This combined $50 billion burden represents roughly 2.3% of the region’s economic output. However, the analysis suggests that adding just two to four healthy years to the population could generate between $70 billion and $100 billion in additional economic output for the GCC by 2030. Demographic Shifts and Economic Opportunity The need for a "longevity economy" is driven by rapid demographic changes. The population aged 65 and above…