The Longevity Imperative

From a leading expert on longevity, an urgent call for individuals, institutions, and society to adapt to the reality of living longer lives

Thanks to increases in life expectancy, we can now expect to live for a long time. Most of us would welcome an extra day in the week, so why do so many of us view the prospect of additional years with fear and skepticism? The reason is simple: society is not currently structured to support long lives. Rather than thinking in terms of the needs of a rising number of older people, we must instead support the young and middle-aged to prepare differently for the longer futures they can expect.   

The Longevity Imperative outlines the innovations needed to make the most of these longer lives: substantial changes to our health system, economy, and financial sector, as well as in how we manage our careers, health, finances, and relationships. Instead of seeing longevity as a problem, economist Andrew J. Scott challenges us to view it as an opportunity. This book charts a course to address the individual, social, political, economic, and cultural changes required so that all of us—regardless of age—can live lives that are not just longer but healthier, happier, and more productive. 

• “Finally, a manifesto to guide the longevity revolution. Should be required reading for every physician and politician. A revelation on every page.”
  David Sinclair, author of New York Times bestseller Lifespan
• “Wide ranging yet personal, The Longevity Imperative definitively places population aging on the very short list of megatrends that will transform how we live tomorrow.”
  Joe Coughlin, author of The Longevity Economy
• “As improvements in medical science and living standards ensure that most of us now live to be old. How do we make sure that we age well—that we are ‘evergreen’? That is the question at the heart of Andrew Scott’s striking new book, which argues persuasively that aging is as big a challenge for humanity as climate change or artificial intelligence. Scott has some wise suggestions as to how exactly we can do it.”
  Niall Ferguson, author of The Ascent of Money
• “An ageing society has long been seen as a grave future economic threat but what if longer lives could be turned into a source of economic growth? In this striking book, Scott outlines why changing how we age is so important, what needs to be done to succeed and just how large the potential gains are to both individuals and nations.”
  Nouriel Roubini, author of Megathreats
• “The world is undergoing an unparalleled demographic change. We are witnessing not just aging, but a longevity revolution as billions around the world are set to live longer, healthier lives. This engaging book does not just draw attention to this underappreciated transformation. It also outlines how we need to change our economy, with an ‘evergreening’ strategy that allows people to flourish many times during their lives, and remake our norms and institutions. This is a must-read book with an important message and many lessons.”
  Daron Acemoglu, coauthor of Power and Progress
• “The good news is that, globally, we’re living longer, healthier lives than ever before—the even better news is that Andrew Scott has written the perfect guidebook to this brave new older world. Take a look through Scott’s longevity lens and, aided by deft analogies and so many surprising statistics I nearly wore out my highlighter, it will change the way you think about getting older. The traditional ‘aging society’ narrative is a depressing one about too many old peopleI>The Longevity Imperative shows us how we should reshape our thinking, and create a more optimistic, happier, healthier and wealthier future together. Whether you’re a government planning for the future of education, healthcare and public finances, or an individual wondering what extended lives might hold for your family and your pension, you can’t afford not to read this book.”
  Andrew Steele, author of Ageless
• “Andrew Scott is uniquely positioned to explore the opportunities and challenges of longer lives in the 21st century. Whereas most predictions about future trends are grounded on the tacit assumption that we will live in the future as we do today, the only thing we truly can count on is that change will continue. Scott paints a picture of a range of possibilities that will emerge from scientific discoveries and technological advances. He also argues that if we change the way we live, longer lives can greatly improve the quality of life at all ages. The lessons Scott teaches readers will not only educate them but introduce them to a consummate storyteller and remarkable man.”
  Laura Carstensen, Stanford University
• “Inspiring, enlightening and uplifting, The Longevity Imperative demands a radical rethink of aging by putting forward a blueprint for how to live well today, tomorrow and in the future. A wake-up call for business leaders and politicians, and a must read for anyone who wants a life well lived.”
  Noreena Hertz, author of The Lonely Century
• “In every sense, longevity is the opportunity of our lifetime. The ‘evergreen agenda,’ brilliantly and compellingly set out in this book, provides the key to unlocking this opportunity for the benefit of individuals, economies and societies alike.”
  Andy Haldane, CEO Royal Society of Arts, former Chief Economist Bank of England
• “Once in a while, a book comes along that resets our thinking—this certainly does that! It is an important work will stimulate you to rethink your own, and our, collective future.”
  Linda Yueh, Oxford University
• “This is an extremely important book addressing one of the most important phenomena the human race has ever encountered, that is the ability to live longer and healthier lives. Despite recent setbacks in Covid this trend to increasing longevity can only continue and will be a dominant them in the lives of future generations. Medical science is already making progress to prevent and treat diseases early and the recognition of what makes a healthy lifestyle is advancing and also having a big effect. Scott picks up these opportunities and places them in the context of how society will manage these changes. The key underpinning arguments are economic and these are carefully discussed and articulated. The world has been slow to think of the effects longevity will ultimately have on all aspects of life but many of the key issues are discussed here. Putting a man on the moon may seem like an impressive achievement but increasing life expectancy so that many of those born today will reach one hundred years of age is much more impressive and impactful. That is why you must read this book.”
  John Bell, Regius Professor of Medicine, Oxford University
• “Andrew Scott has written a book that is a must read for anyone concerned about the world. There are issues we should all be advocates for and the longevity imperative is right up there with climate change and geopolitics. It is equally important as those and without someone of Andrew’s ability writing about it we would be none the wiser. Please read and please talk about this.”
  Jim Mellon, Chairman of Burnbrae Holdings
• Narrator Michael Chance performs this timely audiobook with dignified enthusiasm that perfectly matches the spirit of the London economist's work on how to help people prepare for living longer. With a lovely accent reminiscent of the British actor Michael Caine, he adds color and sensitivity to this persuasive manifesto. The author's positive message is that instead of feeling burdened by the elderly or afraid of becoming old, we should be preparing people of all ages for the longer lives they will live and provide the tools and institutional support needed for those years to be healthy and secure. With Chance's wonderful narration and the author's public health approach to these demographic realities, this audio will influence policy and inspire people to prepare for their later years instead of being afraid of them. T.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2024]
  AudioFile Earphones Award Winner