SMU launches Longevity Societies and Economies Institute to advance knowledge and innovation for Singapore’s longevity transition
In April 2026, Singapore Management University (SMU) launched the Longevity Societies and Economies Institute (LSEI), a new institute dedicated to advancing research on the economic and societal transitions needed for economies and societies to continue thriving despite an ageing population. LSEI brings together SMU’s ageing-related research and drive an interdisciplinary agenda to build resilient and opportunity-rich longevity societies and economies. The Institute was launched by Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for National Development, at the World Ageing Festival 2026. The event was held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre and organised by Ageing Asia with SMU as the co-host and academic pillar partner.
Singapore is already a super-aged society today. By 2030, one in four Singapore citizens will be aged 65 and above. Across Asia, rising life expectancy and smaller birth cohorts are reshaping labour supply, healthcare demand, retirement adequacy and community support systems. LSEI has been established to examine these shifts systematically and generate evidence to support economically sustainable and socially inclusive responses as part of an integrated systems redesign.
The photo features a samba performance at the launch of LSEI. In the first row onstage are (left to right) Interim Co-Director of LSEI Prof Paulin Straughan ; Founder and Managing Director of Ageing Asia Janice Chia ; SMU President Prof Lily Kong ; Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for National Development ; SMU Provost Prof Alan Chan and Interim Co-Director of LSEI Dr Cheong Wei Yang.
Singapore is already a super-aged society today. By 2030, one in four Singapore citizens will be aged 65 and above. Across Asia, rising life expectancy and smaller birth cohorts are reshaping labour supply, healthcare demand, retirement adequacy and community support systems. LSEI has been established to examine these shifts systematically and generate evidence to support economically sustainable and socially inclusive responses as part of an integrated systems redesign.
The photo features a samba performance at the launch of LSEI. In the first row onstage are (left to right) Interim Co-Director of LSEI Prof Paulin Straughan ; Founder and Managing Director of Ageing Asia Janice Chia ; SMU President Prof Lily Kong ; Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for National Development ; SMU Provost Prof Alan Chan and Interim Co-Director of LSEI Dr Cheong Wei Yang.