According to the World Bank, Oman has seen a dramatic surge from 42.67 years in 1960 to 77.39 years in 2017. Bloomberg
Japan has registered a rise in life expectancy from 67.67 years to 84.10 years in the same time period. Reuters
An ageing population means that Japan’s workforce must adapt. Seniors are everywhere these days, from wrinkled men waving glow sticks at construction sites to retirement-age women repairing clothes at seniors’ work centres. AFP
Japan hopes robots will make up for a shortfall in carers. In this photo, for instance, a resident reads a book during a session with Paro, a robot seal, at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters
Robots can do some things well, although the artificial intelligence behind them is a work in progress. Reuters
Noriaki Iwashima looks out of a coffin during an end-of-life seminar held by Japan’s largest retailer Aeon Co in Tokyo. Funeral arrangements are normally left to those who have been left behind but the latest trend in Japan, which literally translates to “End of life” preparations, is for the ageing to prepare their own funerals and graves before they set off on their journey to the great beyond. Reuters
Other Asian societies, such as in China, find ageing to be a challenge. Elderly people take a nap at a day care centre in Shanghai. Nursing homes are not an option for most Chinese. The few nursing homes in China supply only 22 beds for every 1,000 seniors, and most are too expensive for the average family. AP Photo
Owing to the tremendous advancements in science and modern medicine, average life expectancy has increased significantly over the past decades. According to the World Bank, Oman has seen a dramatic surge from 42.67 years in 1960 to 77.39 years in 2017. Similarly, Japan has registered a rise in life expectancy from 67.67 years to 84.10 years in the same time period.
Undoubtedly, this is a remarkable achievement for humanity in the 21st century. We must, however, take into consideration some other facts and figures to understand the full extent of the impact a higher life expectancy may have on society as a whole.
Along with an increase in life expectancy, we are also witnessing a drastic decline in birth rates across the globe. Oman has experienced a drop from 7.25 births per woman in 1960 to 2.92 in 2017, according to the World Bank, and Japan has seen a decline from 2.00 births per woman to 1.43 in the same time period.
The implications of an ageing population include a spike in healthcare costs, rising care-giving expenditure, a decline in the percentage of working individuals and subsequently lower rates of economic growth. In addition, there is a strain on social insurance programmes and pension systems that support the elderly.
Japan is currently the "oldest" country in the world. In 2019, approximately 28 per cent of Japan’s population was over the age of 65, with this demographic group forecasted to account for 40 per cent of the country’s population by 2060. However, the government and private sector have been working relentlessly for several decades now to overcome the effects this ageing population has on the economy.
In the year 2000, the Japanese government rolled out Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI), a public programme that supports senior citizens aged 65 and above. The scheme is funded through charging a premium from citizens that are 40 years and above, who contribute a percentage that is determined by their income. LTCI provides senior citizens a range of benefits including institutional, home and community-based services that are delivered through a care manager.
Citizens registered with the programme can access services through care managers or service providers for a small co-payment fee. Municipalities are responsible for running the programmes in their respective districts, and engage with providers from both public and private sectors in doing so. At the same time, the federal government is in charge of stipulating the fees levied to ensure fair charges.
Of course, this system is not perfect and brings forth a series of challenges such as long waiting lists and a shortfall in the number of workers in the healthcare industry. However, it has taken the country forward in the right direction and continues to successfully deliver a myriad essential resources to elderly members of the community.
In addition, the government has also incentivised women, who either chose not to enter the workforce, or took breaks from their professional lives, to re-enter the workforce and contribute towards economic progress.
Organisations in the private sector have also offered opportunities to this ageing population and created suitable roles to integrate them into workplaces. For example, Lawson Inc, a convenience store chain in Tokyo has created a hybrid store that it has branded a "seniors’ salon". A section of the store is fitted out with a blood pressure monitor, and a team of social workers to support the elderly, and also to distribute leaflets and information on relevant healthcare services. The store also features a dedicated section of specialist products targeting the needs of senior citizens.
Furthermore, Lawson has also increased the maximum age limit for its franchisees and is offering part-time jobs for senior citizens, who can work limited hours as their health permits.
Given the decline in global birth rates and the advancements in health care, ageing populations are a concern for most nations. While Japan has set some excellent benchmarks for the rest of the world, the GCC region would do well to look inwards and see how we can utilise our individual strengths and provide creative solutions to reduce the strain of an ageing population on our regional economies.
Engaging senior citizens in roles tailored to their capabilities can add a new stream of talent for any organisation
Formal government programmes such as LTCI are undoubtedly very effective in delivering essential services and support to seniors. However, I believe the private sector has a wealth of opportunities that can be explored.
Engaging senior citizens in roles tailored to their capabilities can add a new stream of talent for any organisation. Products and services can be customised to suit the needs of the elderly, and designed to empower them to become active contributors to society.
Ageing populations are a pressing issue and we must follow Japan’s example and plan ahead for the upcoming decades. With the right resources and a clear blueprint, we will be able to care for our citizens across all ages while also maintaining steady economic growth.
Mohammed Alardhi is executive chairman of Investcorp and chairman of Bank Sohar, and was the longest-serving Omani head of the Royal Air Force of Oman
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area. Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife. Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple. The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items. According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”. He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale. Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors Power: 639hp Torque: 1,130Nm Transmission: Single-speed automatic Touring range: 591km Price: From Dh412,500 On sale: Deliveries start in October
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at. Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti withCoastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
South Africa
Faf du Plessis (captain), Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Lungi Ngidi.
