The future of aging

In trying to establish a path forward, there exist opportunities for brands to help reconcile these two generations. Conducted among 12,000+ respondents in 28 markets, “The Future of Aging” study also sheds light on cultural divides regarding what it means to grow old. It will become an increasingly fraught issue, given that, by 2050, people aged 60+ are expected to make up nearly 22% of humankind. With this study, we investigate the challenges—to both individuals and communities—that come with aging.

Topline findings include the following:

Boomers invented youth culture: From youthful rebelliousness to teenage angst, the baby boom generation set new societal norms for what it means to be “young.” And they set the standard for youthful protest: Decades later, half of Prosumers admire the boomers for their youthful championing of vital causes, including the fight for women’s equality and civil rights.

Age is (mostly) in our heads: Seven in 10 millennials and boomers agree: “Age is more a matter of mindset than physical abilities.”

Brands addressing the new realities of aging: Brands need to strike the right balance between “universal communication” and age-targeted offerings. Two-thirds of boomers surveyed “prefer to buy brands that are not targeted at any one generation,” but 56% agree: “I expect my favourite brands to adapt their products and services to suit me as I get older.”

A tale of two tensions: The boomers continue to hold on to an outsized share of political and economic power—but how long can that continue? Our study reveals signs that the end finally is in sight.

• Reality sets in: For boomers, old age isn’t a milestone marked by an event (birth of a grandchild, retirement, a particular birthday). It’s more of a feeling—that they can no longer do all the things they used to take for granted: 52% say the point at which people start to feel old is when it’s hard to recover from an everyday event; 71% say it’s when you start to experience physical or mental weakness.
• Youth vs. boomers: The various studies we conducted in 2020 have spotlighted a growing rift between the generations. Key points of contention include climate change and the sense among youth that their futures—economically and ecologically—are bleak.

Generational fracture: We witnessed multiple points of conflict in the 1960s and 1970s. In the US, it was the Beat Generation taking issue with conformity. In France, it was a matter of standing up to the patriarchy. And in Japan, student demonstrations centered on academic independence and tuition costs. In the early 2020s, we have new ruptures.

• Economic: Nearly half of respondents aged 18–34 agreed they “have been asked to sacrifice too much of our economic growth/stability and our lifestyles,” whereas only 22% of those aged 55+ agreed. Moreover, 48% of millennials agreed that “COVID-19 has increased the debt older generations have to younger generations.”
• Tech & Cultural: Only 17% of today’s global internet users are aged 55+. Thanks to the loss of mass media, members of the older generation often aren’t even aware of current celebrities. Given the contemporary culture of user-generated content, youth live largely in a world of their own making.
• Ideological: While millennials credit the boomers for the activism of their youths, significant proportions are willing to blame the older generation for a variety of ills, including the depletion of resources caused by overconsumption (40%), environmental harm (30%), and leaving younger generations in financial debt (37%).

Paths to reconciliation: How should we navigate these intergenerational tensions, according to our respondents?

• Find a balance of power: 65% say company executives need to make room for young people.
• Promote intergenerational mentorship: 8 in 10 Prosumers think older and younger generations could learn a great deal from each other.
• Come together beyond disagreements: When half of Prosumers think “the COVID-19 crisis has created antagonisms between the old and the young,” there is a real challenge to look beyond differences to move forward together.

Studying the boomer generation and the issues surrounding their aging is critical to helping brands address emerging intergenerational tensions. How can we ease the weight the boomers represent for younger generations? What responsibility do people have for maintaining their health so as not to be a burden on society? What safeguards need to be put in place to protect those who cannot adequately care for themselves? The COVID-19 pandemic has brightened the spotlight on these questions we barely dare to ask ourselves and has made their resolution all the more urgent.

If you would like to read the whole study, write us at havasprague@havas.com.