The ageing of the population will be a reality across emerging Asia in the coming years, with the exception of South Asia. Population ageing is happening alongside rising affluence – a combination that underpins strong demand for pension funds and retirement savings products, to provide peace of mind in one’s golden years. Feeling well is about investing with a purpose, to do good while doing well. Where we put our money drives action. And an existential issue demanding action on a global scale is climate change. Investing in sustainable assets imbues investment with a larger social purpose. Let me elaborate on each of these dimensions of wellness in investment. Eating Well: Investing for Yield in Private Markets First, eating well – or investing for yield in private markets, namely private equity and venture capital investments, PE and VC in short, as part of a diversified portfolio. Globally, private market capital has grown at more than double the rate of public capital in the last 20 years. For the first time since 2006–07, the value of listed US companies going private in 2018 exceeded the value of private companies going public, causing a net outflow from the US public markets. An allocation to investments in private markets is becoming more common – and necessary – for a well-diversified portfolio aiming for decent returns. Private market opportunities are growing strongly in Asia. The PE and VC industry in the AsiaPacific1 achieved record growth last year.
1 Includes Southeast Asia, Greater China, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan 2 “Asia-Pacific Private Equity Report 2019”; Bain & Company 3 “Southeast Asia PE & VC: Investment Activity May 2018”, SVCA 4 “World Population Prospects 2019”; United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs  7/7  BIS central bankers' speeches