World Population Day: Suramericana analyzes how demographic changes are transforming global well-being and development.
Medellín, July 2025 — In the context of World Population Day, Suramericana, as a Trends and Risk Manager, calls for reflection on one of the main forces shaping the present and future of societies: demographic change. This megatrend, included in its Megatrends 2025 report, raises how phenomena such as population aging, migration, declining birth rates, and the redefinition of the family are profoundly transforming the social and economic dynamics of Latin America and the world.
UN demographic projections indicate that, by the mid-2080s, the global population will reach a peak of 10.300 billion people, before beginning a gradual decline. However, this growth does not necessarily imply greater social or economic vitality: the world will be aging. By that same year, it is estimated that people over 65 will outnumber those under 18, posing increasingly urgent structural challenges for health care, pension systems, and productivity. This phenomenon, combined with accelerated urbanization and the effects of climate change, will profoundly transform social dynamics and put pressure on the planet's resources and capacities.
“Demographic changes show us that it's no longer enough to think about population growth; we need to understand how the population is distributed, how they live, and what they truly need. This perspective allows us to anticipate key transformations for the well-being of territories and people,” emphasizes Henry Daniel Puerta Álvarez, Director of Trend and Risk Management at Suramericana.
Faced with this global demographic transformation, profound implications are emerging for the way we live, work, and care for others. From the redefinition of family and well-being models to the contrasts between regions that have already reached their peak population and those that still face growth opportunities, the common challenge is adapting to new social, cultural, and economic realities.
Redefining family and well-being
The family structure is clearly changing. Today, we see more single-person households and single-parent families, as well as a decrease in the average household size. The so-called "sandwich generation," responsible for simultaneously caring for children and elderly parents, highlights the need for new models of support, time, and care.
At the same time, concepts such as emotional health, self-care, and the inclusion of pets as a fundamental part of the family have gained prominence, leading to a rethinking of traditional models of well-being. This transformation is leading to a rethinking of how we understand the concept of family, in response to the aging population and the accompanying cultural, social, and economic changes.
Two demographic realities, one shared challenge
The world faces two contrasting demographic realities. On the one hand, countries like Japan, Germany, China, and Russia, which represent 28% of the world's population, have already reached their peak population. On the other hand, regions like sub-Saharan Africa and some Latin American countries are still experiencing sustained population growth. It is estimated that by 2054, 48 more countries will reach their peak population.
Latin America, in particular, is experiencing an accelerated transition. Countries like Brazil could reach their peak population in the 2040s. To take advantage of the demographic dividend, it is essential to implement policies that boost female labor force participation, improve work-life balance, and strengthen education and care systems.
Demographic windows and divergent realities
In regions like Latin America, there is still a demographic opportunity: a majority of people of working age compared to a smaller proportion of dependent population. This advantage can generate favorable conditions for growth if investment is made in quality education, job creation, and access to healthcare services.
To respond to these emerging realities, it will be key to strengthen health systems, expand long-term care coverage, and ensure policies that promote women's inclusion in the workforce and a work-life balance.
In its role as Trends and Risk Manager, Suramericana continues to analyze these signals to anticipate future challenges, promote informed decision-making, and contribute to the region's sustainable development.
“Understanding demographic changes is not just an analytical tool; it's essential for designing more sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready territories,” concludes Henry Daniel Puerta Alvarez, Director of Trend and Risk Management at Suramericana.
To learn more about this and other megatrends, visit: https://suramericana.com/que-nos-diferencia/megatendencias
About Suramericana:
With eight decades of experience, Suramericana SA is a company specialized in the insurance industry and in the management of trends and risks. It is a subsidiary of Grupo SURA (81.1%) and also has the support of the German reinsurer Munich Re (18.9%) as a shareholder. The Company is a multi-solution, multi-channel, and multi-segment platform with operations in Latin America, where it seeks to deliver sustainable well-being and competitiveness to each of its clients, both individuals and businesses. Learn more at https://suramericana.com/.
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