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Aging Population Drives Healthcare Growth: Stocks To Watch

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An updated edition of the July 6, 2026, article.

The world’s population is aging rapidly, reshaping how healthcare systems, corporations and investors approach long-term growth opportunities. According to the July 2026 data from the World Health Organization, 1.1 billion people globally were aged 60 years or older in 2023 and that number is projected to nearly double to 2.1 billion by 2050. By 2030, one in six people worldwide is expected to be aged 60 or older. Meanwhile, the number of people aged 80 years and older is projected to more than triple between 2023 and 2060, reaching 545 million.

This demographic transition continues to create a multitrillion-dollar healthcare opportunity. Fortune Business Insights estimates that the global geriatric care services market will grow from $1.24 trillion in 2025 to $2.16 trillion by 2034, reflecting a 6.4% CAGR. The company cites the growing elderly population, rising prevalence of chronic diseases and increasing demand for specialized and home-based care services as key factors driving market growth.

The aging population is significantly altering healthcare consumption patterns and creating growth opportunities across pharmaceuticals, diabetes care, robotic surgery, cardiovascular devices, obesity treatment, sleep health and digital monitoring technologies.

Healthcare companies such as AbbVie ABBV, Tandem Diabetes Care TNDM and Amgen Inc. AMGN are well positioned across several of these areas. By enhancing operational efficiency, they are increasingly expanding their presence in the Seniors & Aging Demographics domain.

As longevity improves globally, age-related conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, neurodegenerative disorders and musculoskeletal complications are becoming more prevalent. Digital health solutions, artificial intelligence-driven diagnostics and home-based monitoring systems are transforming elder care, creating new revenue opportunities for healthcare firms.

Notably, Stryker SYK is advancing AI-enabled orthopedics through its Mako SmartRobotics platform, which combines 3D CT-based planning with technology designed to assist surgeons during joint replacement procedures. Boston Scientific BSX is incorporating AI into its cardiovascular portfolio, including AI-powered Automated Lesion Assessment on its AVVIGO+ imaging platform, while advancing minimally invasive treatments such as its SEISMIQ intravascular lithotripsy system for complex coronary lesions.

From an investment perspective, healthcare continues to offer defensive characteristics during volatile economic environments. Demand for critical treatments, medical procedures and chronic disease therapies generally remains resilient regardless of macroeconomic cycles, supporting stable cash flows and long-term earnings visibility.

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3 Seniors & Aging Demographics Stocks in the Spotlight

AbbVie has been strengthening its position in aging-related healthcare through immunology and neuroscience. On Aug. 27, 2026, the company submitted a regulatory application to the European Medicines Agency for a subcutaneous induction option for SKYRIZI in adults with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease, supported by Phase 3 AFFIRM data. AbbVie also secured European Commission approvals for RINVOQ in severe alopecia areata and non-segmental vitiligo in July. In June, it announced a proposed acquisition of Apogee Therapeutics to deepen its immunology portfolio. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Tandem Diabetes Care is advancing automated and connected diabetes management, an increasingly important area as chronic disease prevalence rises with age. In August 2026, the company reported second-quarter sales of $254.6 million and highlighted FDA clearance and CE Mark approval for Control-IQ+ automated insulin delivery in people with type 1 diabetes during pregnancy, along with CE Mark approval for adults with type 2 diabetes. Tandem also expanded t X2 compatibility with Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor to five international markets. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #3.

Amgen is expanding its presence in aging-related cardiovascular and metabolic care through Repatha and its investigational obesity therapy MariTide. On Aug. 31, 2026, Amgen reported that Repatha reduced the risk of all-cause mortality by 20% in more than 12,000 high-risk patients without a prior heart attack or stroke in a prespecified analysis of the Phase 3 VESALIUS-CV trial. Meanwhile, MariTide is being evaluated in Phase 3 studies for obesity and related conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The stock also carries a Zacks Rank #3.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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