Goldman Sachs just published one of the most optimistic takes on aging I’ve read in years: The Path to 2075 — The Positive Story of Global Aging. It’s a sharp contrast to the usual doom-and-gloom headlines and it reads like a powerful validation of what we’re building at OpenWater Group.
Here’s the core insight: aging isn’t a crisis. It’s an opportunity.
Yes, populations are getting older. In developed countries, the share of people aged 15 to 64 — typically considered “working age” — has declined from 67% in 2000 to 63%, and could fall to 57% by 2075. The common worry is that fewer workers will be supporting more retirees, leading to economic strain.
But that’s not what’s actually happening.
Because here’s the good news: we’re not just living longer, we’re living better. According to a recent report from Goldman Sachs, a 70-year-old today has the same brain power as a 53-year-old from the year 2000 and similar physical health to someone who was 56 back then. In a very real way, we’ve added years of vitality and ability to later life.
And importantly, we’re working longer too. Since 2000, the average working life in developed economies has increased by 4 years, from 34 to 38. Life expectancy went up too, from 78 to 82. And the portion of life we spend actively working? That rose from 44% to 47%.
Goldman Sachs’ latest demographic analysis also highlights something counterintuitive: even though the number of “traditional working-age” adults is shrinking, more people across all ages are working, so the overall share of the population that’s working has actually gone up.
Put simply: the system is adapting — and it’s working better than many expected.
Another myth this report busts is that low birth rates mean decline. While global fertility has dropped, the actual number of children needed to maintain population stability is lower than we used to think, closer to 1.6–1.7 births per woman, not 2.1. That’s because people are living longer, so the math has changed.
We’re also seeing more people stay in the workforce longer because fewer jobs are physically demanding. When fewer people need to retire early due to physical strain, more people can keep contributing longer, especially in knowledge work, leadership, mentoring, and creative roles.
So what does this all mean for us at OpenWater?
It reinforces what we see every day: our members — professionals with decades of experience — are energized, engaged, and full of value. They’re mentoring founders, advising companies, learning new skills, and leading change. They’re not winding down. They’re just getting started.
Goldman also points to the potential of AI and robotics to support healthy aging — not replace us, but enhance our ability to contribute longer. But none of that tech replaces experience. If anything, it makes human wisdom more important than ever.
So let’s stop treating aging as decline. It’s where Wisdom Meets Opportunity.
Source: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research, “The Path to 2075 — The Positive Story of Global Aging,” May 20, 2025. Referenced here for educational and commentary purposes only.
