Building a healthier future for the Gulf

With their rapidly advancing economies, young and ambitious populations, and strategic access to both capital and cutting-edge technologies, GCC nations such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and others have the potential to dramatically increase life expectancy through smart investments in longevity-focused healthcare systems.

Historically, longevity was seen as the result of personal health choices or access to advanced medical interventions. Today, government investments in areas such as advanced healthcare systems, preventive care, age-related technologies and healthier lifestyles can be the true catalysts for significant increases in life expectancy.

If GCC countries allocate just 1 to 2 percent of GDP toward these areas, the region could experience a rewarding longevity dividend, where life expectancy could rise by 2 to 4 years over the next two decades, transforming not just the health of their populations but also the economic landscape.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE already invest substantial resources in healthcare, which serves as a strong foundation for expanding longevity initiatives.

The UAE government currently spends around 3.5 percent of GDP on healthcare. This includes everything from state-of-the-art hospitals to cutting-edge medical research in fields like biotechnology, gene therapy and regenerative medicine.

Saudi Arabia spends approximately 5 to 6 percent of GDP on healthcare. The country is also heavily investing in healthcare modernization under its Vision 2030 plan. These investments are helping address the rise in chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, which disproportionately affect the aging population.

When we talk about longevity in the context of public health investment, it is not just about extending life but also about improving quality of life, optimizing healthspan alongside lifespan. This can be achieved by targeting age-related diseases early, making preventive care a focal point of national healthcare systems and encouraging healthier lifestyles for all age groups.

GCC nations are in a prime position to take this step, given their ability to leverage wealth from oil and tourism industries, their growing healthcare infrastructure and their political will to embrace new technologies.

But how exactly can spending 1 to 2 percent of GDP yield such remarkable improvements in life expectancy?

Advancing healthcare systems

Investing in state-of-the-art medical infrastructure will ensure that people live longer, healthier lives. This includes expanding access to cutting-edge treatments and healthcare facilities focused on the prevention and treatment of age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. It also means embracing digital health, telemedicine, AI-driven diagnostics and personalized treatment plans, which are already beginning to reshape healthcare systems across the region.

By focusing on precision medicine and integrating biomarker technologies that can predict and prevent age-related diseases, these investments can directly increase life expectancy while reducing the economic burden of healthcare in the long run.

Preventive care programs

A major driver of longevity is the ability to prevent disease before it occurs. Many of the top causes of mortality in the GCC, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer, can be mitigated or managed with early detection, screening programs and public health education. With targeted investment in preventive care, governments can reduce the incidence of these diseases and ensure that people live longer, more active lives.

This includes implementing nationwide health awareness campaigns, improving access to preventive services like vaccinations and encouraging healthier lifestyle choices such as better diet and exercise habits through public policy.

Age-related technologies

The rapid development of age-related technologies, from biotech and regenerative medicine to robotics and AI, can extend both healthspan and lifespan. For example, stem cell therapies and gene editing could lead to breakthroughs in treating or even reversing age-related conditions. Smart homes and assistive technologies can also improve the quality of life for older people, allowing them to remain independent for longer.

Investments in age-tech, technologies that specifically focus on improving the lives of aging populations, will also help the GCC tackle the economic challenges posed by aging populations, such as pension systems and the cost of healthcare for older people.

Healthier lifestyles

Encouraging healthier lifestyles goes beyond healthcare spending. It is about creating environments that foster well-being. This includes urban planning that promotes active transportation, such as walking and cycling, and creating green spaces that encourage physical activity. Workplace wellness programs and national campaigns that promote mental health will ensure that people live more balanced, fulfilling lives as they age.

With the right investments in infrastructure and public policy, GCC countries can foster a culture of prevention and longevity, leading to a healthier, more vibrant society.

Beyond the obvious health benefits, investing in longevity is also an investment in economic productivity. A healthier, longer-living population means a more productive workforce, people are able to work for longer, contribute to the economy and remain active consumers for decades longer.

A 2 to 4 year increase in life expectancy could also have a positive impact on national productivity levels, potentially offsetting the cost of these investments with increased output and reduced healthcare costs in the long term.

• Dmitry Kaminskiy is general partner at Deep Knowledge Group.