Manulife Asia Care Survey 2025
What does it truly mean to lead a good life?
Is it measured by the number of years we live or the richness of the moments within those years?
As the world continues to evolve, so too must our understanding of longevity. For many in Hong Kong, it’s no longer just about living a long, healthy life. It is more about prioritizing health and wealth, supported by financial solutions that help deliver a better life.
For years, Manulife’s ongoing Asia Care Survey has explored the health and wealth well-being of people across Asia, uncovering their evolving needs, values, and aspirations. The latest 2025 edition, which surveyed residents across Asia, including 1,000 individuals from Hong Kong, takes a deeper look at the true meaning of longevity. It examines how individuals are redefining what it means to live longer and better.
The study found a disconnect between belief and behavior. While many people in Hong Kong have a clear idea of what a fulfilling life looks like, their actions do not align with those beliefs. The research offers practical solutions to help individuals bridge this gap and move towards their aspirations.
Findings 1 – A Shift in MindSet
So, what does “being healthy” really mean?
People are redefining health by prioritizing independence over being entirely illness-free. Instead, they focus on doing what matters most to them. 77.3% of people in Hong Kong across all age groups view illness as a natural part of aging. For them, health comes to mean embracing and enjoying life rather than being constrained by health issues.
Findings 2 – Top wishes in Golden Years
The Asia Care Survey 2025 reveals that traditional goals, such as maximizing lifespan, are no longer the top priority for many.
These emerging beliefs reflect a more holistic view of aging — one that values freedom, dignity, and purpose as much as longevity. In other words, maintaining holistic health welling and protection will be the key to fruitful and joyful golden years.
The Three Spans of Longevity
As revealed by Manulife’s Asia Care Survey 2025, longevity can be understood through three dimensions: Physical, Mental and Financial spans. A longer life is better and quality of life is maximized when there are enhancements across all three areas.
Before diving into each dimension, here’s an overview of the key insights defining these components:
Physical span:
The mean expected age for health issues to begin is 67, yetsigns often appear as early as 39.
Mental span:
77% agree that mental health has a significant impact on longevity.
Financial span:
70% see financial health as a key enabler of a longer, better life.
These three dimensions are highly interconnected, with each playing a vital role in shaping how we age. The following sections will explore the challenges, insights, and actions that can help individuals and organizations — support longer, better lives.
The expected age at which survey respondents assume that serious health issues begin around age 67. However, some individuals report noticing the first signs of physical decline could appear as early as 39. This almost 30-year gap between expectation and reality is more than just a statistical oversight — it’s a wake-up call. Recognizing and addressing early physical changes is essential for maintaining long-term well-being.
Many people take proactive steps to stay healthy, focusing on the more common wellness habits, such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and staying adequately hydrated. These actions reflect a general awareness of preventive health, with over 30% of individuals prioritizing such efforts.
However, there’s a noticeable gap in how the public monitorings when it comes to tracking less visible but equally important health indicators.
This contrast highlights a tendency to prioritize visible or well-publicized health habits while neglecting the quieter signals the body sends.
Bridging this gap means going beyond popular health trends and tuning into what truly matters for long-term vitality.
The patterns Manulife observes paint a clear picture: health and wellness are being redefined. The focus is shifting beyond illness towards a life marked by independence, happiness, and purpose. While this reflects a change of mindset, it also highlights some new areas of concern – particularly the lack of proactivity in monitoring and preserving one’s health – which can ultimately compromise our desired lifestyle.
Aging and sickness may be natural, but they don’t have to define your life. Here’s how you can take control:
- At any point in life, you can start taking care of your future health: Experts estimate that genetics account for only about 25% of the differences in human lifespan. The remaining variation is primarily influenced by how we manage our physical and mental well-being. There’s no perfect moment to begin– any time is the right time! The earlier you take action, the better. Don’t sit on the idea of monitoring your health. Start today!
- Make balanced well-being a priority: Mental well-being is just as important as physical well-being at every stage of life. A better quality of life requires a balanced, integrated approach that supports both mind and body.
- Health is not age specific: Regardless of your age, both physical and mental well-being should remain a priority. Research shows that your health status in your 30s to 40s significantly impacts how well you age into your 60s to 70s.2 Taking early actions can make all the difference.
- Prevent health issues from becoming serious: Monitoring your health using a holistic range of health indicators, including the less obvious ones. Overlooking key signals, such as heart rate, sleep quality, or mobility can allow minor issues to develop into serious conditions over time.
Mental well-being is no longer a secondary concern
It’s the cornerstone of healthy aging. 77% of respondents agree that mental health significantly impacts longevity.
Mental well-being is shaped by more than just emotions
It can be influenced by our relationships, lifestyle, and environment.
Although awareness is increasing, survey respondents, particularly younger adults, still perceive depression as one of the most difficult illnesses to prevent.
With growing awareness among younger generations, there is a powerful call to action: mental health support must start early. Nurturing emotional resilience in youth and providing accessible resources for teenagers and young adults can shift the mitigation approach from reactive care to true prevention. The earlier action is taken, the stronger the foundation for lifelong mental well-being.
While 54% still believe mental health issues aren’t preventable, there lies a promising opportunity: with the right tools, education, and early action, mental well-being can be protected and strengthened throughout life.
These findings underscore a growing recognition: mental resilience is just as vital as physical strength in the pursuit of longevity.
Clearly, mental well-being is not second to physical well-being anymore; it is central to healthy aging. As people increasingly prioritize quality of life over mere longevity, mental health has emerged as a critical factor in determining how we age, how we live, and how we thrive.
- Mental health shapes your future, not just your present: A vast majority of people has already recognized the vital role mental well-being plays in how long and how well we live. It goes beyond managing stress today — it’s about building the emotional resilience needed for a healthier, more fulfillingtomorrow.
- Mental well-being is interconnected: Mental health is shaped by more than emotions. Family relationships, financial stability, and lifestyle choices all play a role. A balanced life, emotionally, socially and financially, means a mentally healthy life.
- Prevention begins with awareness – Act Early: Younger adults are increasingly aware that depression is perceived as one of the most difficult illnesses to prevent. This awareness is aligning with a broader interest around the value of early mental health support. Many believe that taking action early could help support lifelong mental well-being.
- Mental issues are preventable – with the right tools: Although fewer than half of the respondents believe that mental health issues can be prevented, the perspective remains education, early intervention and accessible support can contribute to the protection and promotion of mental well-being in the long run.
As lifespans extend, key moments will reveal how deeply financial security shapes our well-being.
And not just for meeting basic needs, but for empowering choices that support health, happiness, and independence throughout life.
The majority of people agree that financial well-being can have a multi-faceted impact on life:
Building steady income streams during retirement is the top of mind
Many respondents said that in order to support their desired retirement lifestyle, they would value most the following services from their pension plan provider:
However, awareness doesn’t always translate into action
While many recognizing the importance of financial well-being, 52% of respondents acknowledge they may not have sufficient funds for retirement. When we take a closer look at the liquid assets of Hong Kong consumers (property excluded), cash, savings, and fixed deposits make up 45% of total assets. And only 30% of respondents prioritize diversification of investment portfolio.
Most still hold a “cash is king” mentality when it comes to retirement preparations
55% of respondents consider cash and fixed deposits as the most important part of their current preparation for retirement. Pension scheme comes in second, followed by property.
While this risk aversion reflects a cautious mindset, it may also hinder their ability to build sustainable wealth for retirement and effectively mitigate inflationary risk.
Property is still considered a crucial part of retirement planning, but its importance has dropped remarkably.
This shift reflects that people are prioritizing other values over traditional homeownership.
Manulife’s survey reveals a key factor that boosts confidence in retirement: Professional financial guidance
This sharp contrast in confidence proves the value of expert advice in building a secure future.
The Asia Care Survey found a strong link between financial well-being and overall quality of life, particularly in retirement. While many recognize the importance of financial health, gaps in preparation remain. Many people still feel uncertain about their ability to sustain themselves in later life. This is where proactive planning and informed decision-making become critical.
Achieving a better quality of life in retirement begins with taking deliberate steps today. Here’s how you can start preparing confidently for the future:
- Diversify your investments according to your own needs: Relying only on cash might not be the most effective strategy for everyone. You may consider move beyond the 'cash is king' mindset—diversifying your investments may better support your retirement goals.
- Create sustainable income streams: You may explore diverse financial or investment products that can provide steady and sustainable income streams while aligning with your long-term retirement goals.
- Seek professional guidance: Consult with financial planners with the expertise and experience that can help you create a personalized strategy to enhance your financial readiness. Manulife Hong Kong’s trusted financial solutions and expert guidance are helping many customers with their financial protection and retirement goals.
Adjust your strategy based on life stages: (The tips below offer general guidance for three key life stages—adjust based on your own needs and goals.)
Start investing early to maximize the growth potential of investments. Align your portfolio with higher-growth assets that match your long-term retirement goals.
Focus on balancing financial growth with stability. Diversify your portfolio with a mix of sustainable income-generating and growth-focused assets to meet both short-term responsibilities and long-term retirement goals. Regularly review your financial plan to adapt to changes in your life stage, health, and aspirations.
Aim to ensure financial resilience throughout an extended retirement. Rising life expectancy means retirement is no longer the end of your investment journey. Staying invested can help you maintain financial independence, combat inflation, and cover the costs of healthcare or unexpected expenses. Focus on strategies that provide steady income while preserving capital for the years ahead.
Remarks:
Conducted in January and February 2025, the Asia Care Survey 2025 gathered insights from over 9,000 individuals aged 25 or above (including those aged 60+) across nine Asian markets: Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan region, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, and Malaysia.
For the Asia-specific data version, please visit https://www.manulife.com/en/news/Asia-Care-Survey-2025.html
Disclaimer: The Chinese version is a translation of the original in English for information purposes only. In the event of any inconsistency or ambiguity between the Chinese version and the English version, the English version shall prevail.
The information and materials presented in this publication are for reference only and do not represent Manulife’s financial analysis, advice, or official position. Manulife does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information provided. Professional advice should be sought where necessary.
Source:
1. Harvard Health Publishing, June 2024. Longevity: Lifestyle strategies for living a healthy, long life
2. Medical News Today, July 2025. Longevity: 8 habits can add 24 years to lifespan, new study finds ; Verywell Health, January 2024. Longevity To-Do List for Your 30s
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