You've stated that a civilized country must ensure its elderly don't die alone. What are the minimum requirements – from care infrastructure to immigration policy – that a nation needs to meet to qualify as what you would call a 'civilized country'?

The elderly have many specific day-to-day and ongoing needs for which an entire social infrastructure is required, from medical facilities to nutrition to transportation. These tasks are almost all carried out by people, not robots. For whatever reason, I still don’t see enough age tech and mobile devices such as phones with larger buttons or voice-controlled apps. So we are a long way away from humanoid robots and driverless cars catering to older adults without the need for a human workforce dedicated to elderly care.

I envision this enormous and pressing need for social infrastructure being satisfied in the form of large, multi-generational mixed-use master planned communities with on-site medical facilities, walkability, food and retail and other amenities that families can enjoy. Affordability for the essential workers in such communities – whether locals or migrants – is also crucial to success and sustainability.

Retirees are increasingly moving across borders seeking better value, climate and care. Which regions do you see emerging as the next wave of 'silver destinations' in coming years, and how are they actively 'reprogramming' their geography – from healthcare infrastructure to climate resilience – to attract and support ageing populations?

Climate resilience and affordability are together contributing to ever more retirees choosing to relocate, whether to the Dominican Republic, Morocco or onto cruise ships. In an ageing world, there will be ever more such destinations as cities and countries brand themselves as medical tourism and retirement hubs such as the United Arab Emirates or Thailand. The policy shift has been to recognise older adults not as a burden but as investors willing to commit their savings to locations that offer them a stable retirement.

You've predicted we'll hit 'peak humanity' imminently - and earlier than previously thought - followed by what you call an unprecedented 'giant reshuffling' of the 8 billion of us. How do you envision this demographic peak and subsequent migration reshaping global economic and political landscapes? 

The peak is already well underway. Unless you are in Africa or South Asia, you’re basically living in a region that has already reached – or passed – its demographic peak, where population growth is mostly accounted for by immigration. So the great migration is already happening and it is accelerating. It’s driven to some degree by supply and demand, though not free movement of people. Migrants are choosing destinations and destinations are choosing migrants. Ultimately, the winning countries will be those that attract the most skilled youth. 

With climate migration being inevitable, in your view which regions might emerge as 'climate-resilient care zones' where both environmental stability and quality eldercare converge?

There are many climate resilient zones in the world, but only some of them have seized the opportunity to strategically focus on attracting older adults. Mexico, Thailand, Japan and Australia already stand out, and the evidence is the growing number of dedicated retirement communities they have built. I believe numerous other countries will follow suit, creating an active marketplace for older populations to choose from. 

At Bryan Johnson's 'Where to Not Die' summit, you highlighted Singapore as a model for future-proofing. Are there places emerging that might combine Singapore's infrastructure advantages with more accessible cost structures to become the next generation of longevity hubs?

Most certainly. Both Bali and Lombok in Indonesia, for example, have become long-term locations in which retirees have settled. It is crucial for the host country to have an adequately trained medical workforce of doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals, an efficient, low-cost infrastructure, and ideally incorporate the latest technologies related to diagnostics and treatment. As the costs of these tools come down, the cost of delivering care will as well.