Spending by the “silver generation” will reach R$ 559 billion, study shows.
In about 20 years, half of Brazilian households’ consumption of health-related products and services will come from people aged 50 or older. The so-called silver generation — a reference to gray hair — will account for R$ 559 billion of a total of R$ 1.1 trillion spent on health in 2044.
This projection represents an advance compared with 2024, when the 50+ generation represented 35% of that spending on medicines, health plans and supplements, among other products.
The data are part of the study Silver Market: consumption by Brazilians 50+ and projections, conducted by data8, a company specialized in research related to aging and longevity.
One of the coordinators of the research, Lívia Hollerbach, says it is no surprise that people spend more on health as they age, but even so the findings are concerning.
“We were surprised by this projection that very quickly, in less than 20 years, this population will already be responsible for moving half of the country’s consumption in the entire health sector,” she told Agência Brasil.
Weight on the pocket
The survey points out that the relationship between age group and health consumption grows disproportionately when one looks at the population that makes up the silver generation. In 2024, Brazil had 59 million people 50+, which represented 27% of the population, but 35% of health consumption.
In 2044, the projection is that the country will have 92 million people in this age group. This contingent will represent 40% of the population and 50% of consumption.
“Health is really going to take a large part of the Brazilian’s pocket,” says Lívia Hollerbach.
According to the study, health plans, medicines and supplements represent 79% of the monthly health consumption basket of people over 50.
The researchers estimated the weight of health consumption in personal budgets. In the population under 50, 8% of income goes to health-related products and services. For the silver generation, the impact on the pocket is 14%.
The survey breaks it down further by age group. People aged 50 to 54 direct 11% of monthly consumption to health. In the 70-to-74 age group, the level rises to 18%. Among people aged 80 or older, the weight reaches 21%.
The remaining expenditures are on medical consultations, exams, treatment materials and others.
Health structure
The study coordinator draws attention to the need for the country to prepare for the aging of the population, both in the public and private spheres.
“The Brazilian population presents a demand for care and attention to health that, in more vulnerable territories, exceeds the available response capacity, whether by the Public Power or by the private sector,” says Lívia.
For the specialist, the “recurrent congestion” of public and private services is an indication that the existing supply is already operating under strong pressure, in a scenario in which demand tends to grow continuously in the coming decades.
Paths
Among the paths to deal with present and future challenges, she cites the development of a long-term care chain. “It is one of the greatest priorities when we look at the demographic transition.”
She also stresses the need for preventive medicine to gain increasing importance and space in society. “This culture is extremely important,” she emphasizes, adding that she sees advances such as the reduction of smoking and alcohol consumption.
The coordinator notes that society’s focus should be on relating increased life expectancy to quality of life.
“This will only happen when we have not only awareness, but really programs, products and services focused on preventive health,” she concludes.
Source: Agência Brasil
Leave a Reply