As medical and pharmaceutical advancements prolong life expectancy, the aging population is expected to create increased demand for the long-term care industry. In 2050, the population age 65 and over in the U.S. is expected to be 83.7 million, or almost double its estimated population of 43.1 million 2012. About one in four 65-year-olds will live past 90 and one out of 10 will live past 95.
[related_stories]ORG includes global companies that capitalize on the growth in naturally-derived food and personal care items, such as companies that service, produce, distribute, market or sell organic food, beverage, cosmetics, supplements, or packaging.
In an attempt to lead a healthier lifestyle, Americans are turning to more natural or organic products. For instance, the U.S. organic industry has experienced a tenfold growth in demand, with sales rising to over $39 billion in 2014 from $3.6 billion in 1997. Moreover, organic personal care industry, which includes natural cosmetics, is expected to hit $16 billion in revenue by 2020, with skin care products seeing compound annual growth rates of 9.8% from 2014 to 2020.
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Lastly, SLIM includes global companies that fight the global obesity epidemic, such as companies that engaged in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare and medical device companies whose businesses are focused on obesity and obesity related disease, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, heart disease, stroke and sleep apnea, along with companies focused on weight loss programs and supplements, and plus sized apparel.
In the past 40 years, the population of obese people increased by more than 600%, with over 640 million worldwide now classified as obese – over 10% of men and some 14% of women are classified as obese, and the numbers are predicted to rise to 18% and 21%, respectively, by 2025. Consequently, a rising global heath and wellness market has experienced 7.2% growth rates, with sales expected to hit $1 trillion by 2017, in an attempt to combat the rising health costs of obesity. For instance, the low-calorie food market is expected to grow to $10.4 billion by 2019 from $7.4 billion in 2013.
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