By Dr Walid Abbas Zaher, Saudi Scientist and Founder of Our Longevity and Rewind
Discussions surrounding longevity are rapidly moving from academic circles into mainstream debates on healthcare, economics, and public policy. Leaders across the Gulf region have recognized that extending human lifespan and improving health spans is not just a medical aspiration, but a strategic priority too. Investments in technology, health infrastructure, and preventive care are creating new opportunities, and the region’s ambitious programs are starting to show tangible results.
GCC countries are experiencing demographic shifts that mirror global trends. Populations are aging rapidly, but unlike in Western nations, the current age profile is still relatively young. This presents a unique opportunity. Leaders in the region have recognized that with the right policies and innovations, healthier aging can be cultivated early, extending productive life years and reducing the economic burden of age-related diseases.
The urgency of this agenda is evident. Chronic conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders, have become increasingly prevalent in the region, driven by lifestyle changes, urbanization, and shifts in dietary habits. The focus has now shifted from treating these diseases to preventing them. Longevity is not merely about adding years to life but about adding healthy years, ensuring that older populations remain active, engaged, and less reliant on healthcare services. The potential benefits to both individuals and the economy are significant.
Key longevity initiatives in the Gulf
Several GCC countries have launched programs aimed at promoting healthy aging, preventive care, and longevity science. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan includes a national health strategy designed to raise life expectancy from 74 to 80 years. The UAE’s National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031 targets improvements in mental and physical health, with particular emphasis on elderly care. Such initiatives are built around three core elements: preventive healthcare, the integration of new technologies, and public-private collaboration.
One of the most promising initiatives is the Hevolution Foundation, launched in 2021. Headquartered in Riyadh, the foundation is dedicated to advancing healthspan science, focusing on the biological mechanisms of aging. With substantial funding, it supports early-stage research and biotechnologies that have the potential to slow the aging process and delay the onset of age-related diseases. The foundation’s work has already attracted significant attention within the global longevity community, positioning the GCC as a serious player in the future of health science.
Genomics and multi omics are new technologies that enable the understanding of the genetic make-up of the individual, which contributes to advancements in disease diagnostics and therapies. By implementing such technologies, GCC countries will be able to reshape their healthcare systems to enable preventive, predictive, and personalised instead of being reactive to disease progression. Many GCC countries have embarked on establishing national genomiscs projects to be the pillar of future health and medicine for fostering advancements in personalized medicine, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and quality of life.
Saudi Arabia launched its Genomics initiative as early as 2015, establishing sequencing centers in major hubs such as King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), King Faisal Hospital and Research Center (KFRC), and prominent academic institutions like King Saud University. The country also initiated the National Saudi Genome Project to support its Vision 2030, aiming to promote healthier living and drive the transformation of its healthcare system through cutting-edge genomics.
In the UAE, the Omics Centre of Excellence, part of the M42 Group, was established following the merger of Mubadala’s healthcare division and the AI company G42. Launched in 2023, this center is at the forefront of leveraging advanced genomic capabilities to catalyze healthcare innovation and transformation across the nation.
The Qatar Genome Programme (QGP), a population-based initiative, was launched in 2015 by the Qatar Foundation to create a large-scale whole genome sequencing (WGS) dataset. This program has facilitated numerous studies focused on advancing precision medicine and pharmacogenomic research, supported through collaborations between the Qatar National Research Fund and the QGP. These efforts are pivotal in the country’s pursuit of healthcare advancement.
Assessing the effectiveness of current initiatives
While the scale of investment is impressive, the question remains: Are these initiatives effective in achieving their ambitious goals? Early indicators suggest that the region is making headway, but several factors must be considered when assessing progress.
Healthcare infrastructure in the GCC is experiencing rapid modernization, marked by significant investments in state-of-the-art hospitals, telemedicine platforms, and sophisticated health data systems. These advancements are not only expanding access to care but also enabling earlier, more proactive interventions. For instance, both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have launched digital health initiatives that empower individuals to monitor their health in real time, providing personalized insights that promote preventive care and healthier lifestyle choices. The integration of technology into healthcare is pivotal, especially as longevity treatments increasingly depend on advanced diagnostics, precision medicine, and AI-driven solutions. This digital transformation is laying the foundation for more efficient, predictive healthcare systems capable of enhancing patient outcomes and extending life expectancy across the region.
Public awareness campaigns are another important aspect of the region’s longevity efforts. Governments are promoting healthier lifestyles through initiatives like Dubai Fitness Challenge and the Saudi National Sports Day. Such programs emphasize the importance of physical activity, diet, and mental health, helping to shift cultural attitudes toward wellness. The success of such initiatives can be seen in rising participation rates in fitness programs and the growing demand for healthier food options across the region. However, it is worth noting that significant gaps remain in public health literacy, particularly regarding the role of nutrition and long-term wellness strategies.
Moreover, the Gulf’s focus on personalized medicine is paving the way for more targeted interventions. Precision medicine programs are in development, using genetic profiling and advanced analytics to predict an individual’s susceptibility to certain diseases. Programs of this nature are still in their infancy but hold enormous potential for reducing the prevalence of chronic illnesses in the population. In time, personalized health optimization could become a cornerstone of the region’s healthcare systems, ensuring that individuals receive treatments tailored to their unique genetic makeup and health risks.
A key measure of effectiveness will be the long-term reduction in healthcare costs. Preventive care, early intervention, and a focus on longevity have the potential to alleviate the financial strain of treating chronic conditions. However, achieving such cost savings requires a sustained focus on building capacity in healthcare systems and ensuring that longevity treatments are accessible to all, not just the wealthy. The region’s governments are aware of this challenge, but it remains to be seen whether the necessary reforms will be implemented at the scale required.
The economic impact of longevity
As populations age, the economic implications of longevity become profound. Extended lifespans are expected to reshape labor markets, redefine retirement, and drive new demand in industries such as healthcare, wellness, and biotechnology. Recent research by the World Governments Summit in partnership with Strategy& Middle East, part of the PwC network, estimates that enhanced productivity through healthy aging could add more than $2.5 trillion to the GCC’s GDP by 2030. This is driven largely by the fact that healthier populations can remain economically productive for longer, delaying retirement and reducing the incidence of early disability.
GCC governments are already exploring ways to adapt pension systems and labor laws to accommodate longer working lives. Some countries are considering raising the retirement age and offering flexible work arrangements to encourage older workers to stay in the workforce. At the same time, the focus on lifelong learning and re-skilling will become increasingly important. As people live and work longer, they will need to continually update their skills to keep pace with technological advancements and industry shifts.
The longevity economy is also spurring innovation in healthcare and wellness sectors. The region is seeing a growing number of HealthTech startups developing solutions for age-related diseases, personalized medicine, and preventive care. As these companies scale, they have the potential to create new jobs and attract foreign investment, further boosting the region’s economic growth.
Looking ahead
The GCC’s longevity initiatives are ambitious, but there are significant hurdles to overcome. We must ensure that the healthcare workforce is adequately trained to meet the needs of an aging population. Geriatric care, in particular, will require a specialized skill set, and governments will need to invest in training programs to build this capacity. Another challenge is the need for regulatory frameworks that can keep pace with rapid advancements in biotechnology and personalized medicine. Without clear guidelines and policies, there is a risk that new treatments may be delayed or inaccessible to those who need them most.
Collaboration with global experts is also essential. Knowledge-sharing between the Gulf and other leading countries in the longevity space will help accelerate progress and ensure that the region remains at the forefront of scientific advancements.
Finally, public engagement will be critical. While governments have made significant strides in promoting healthier lifestyles, more must be done to educate the public on the importance of longevity. This includes fostering a deeper understanding of preventive care, the role of genetics in health, and the potential benefits of emerging longevity treatments.
