When investors think about growth, technology often comes to mind. But one of the most durable growth stories unfolding globally has little to do with software or chips. It’s demographics.
The world’s population is getting older. According to the World Health Organization, one in six people globally will be 60 or older by 2030. By 2050, the number of people aged 80 and over is expected to triple from 2020 levels. Longer life expectancy and declining birth rates are reshaping demand across healthcare, housing, and essential services.
In the latest episode of Ticker Take on YouTube, I spoke with veteran investor Neela White about how she is positioning portfolios for this shift. White believes the aging population creates multi-decade tailwinds for companies that support seniors across care, housing, accessibility, and end-of-life services. She outlined eight stocks she believes can reward patient investors.
Here’s a closer look at the companies she highlighted.
Service Corporation International (SCI)
Service Corporation International is the largest funeral, cremation, and cemetery operator in North America. White sees long-term demand driven by the rapid growth of the 85-plus population. The company benefits from steady service volumes, advance sales, and its ability to acquire smaller operators.
Addus HomeCare (ADUS)
Addus provides personal care, home health, and hospice services, supporting the trend toward aging in place. White likes its exposure to government and managed-care payors, which adds resilience, along with its ability to grow through acquisitions.
Welltower (WELL)
Welltower is a major senior housing REIT that has been shifting its portfolio toward seniors housing, including the acquisition of Amica Senior Lifestyles. White sees upside from limited new supply, improving occupancy, and strong demographic growth across North America and the U.K.
Chartwell Retirement Residences (CSH.UN)
Chartwell is Canada’s largest retirement residence operator, with occupancy above 93 percent. White believes constrained supply in key markets supports pricing power as demand rises among older age groups.
Sienna Senior Living (SIA)
Sienna operates both retirement residences and long-term care homes. White points to improving occupancy, active acquisitions, and expansion opportunities in major urban markets. The growing 85-plus population underpins long-term demand.
Extendicare (EXE)
Extendicare combines a large long-term care footprint with a major home health business through ParaMed. More than 90 percent of revenue comes from government contracts, providing stable and predictable cash flow amid persistent long-term care waitlists.
Savaria (SIS)
Savaria focuses on accessibility and mobility products, including stairlifts and home elevators. White sees it as a direct play on aging in place, as older homeowners invest in retrofits to remain independent longer.
K-Bro Linen Systems (KBL)
K-Bro is Canada’s largest healthcare laundry operator, with a growing presence in the U.K. Healthcare contracts account for roughly 90 percent of revenue, offering recurring cash flow as care volumes and infection-control standards continue to rise.
The Ticker Take
The aging population is a structural shift, not a short-term trend. White’s eight stock picks span the full lifecycle of aging, from independent living and home care to long-term care, accessibility, and end-of-life services. For long-term investors, demographic tailwinds like these can offer durable growth beyond traditional tech-led themes.
Jon Erlichman is a BNN Bloomberg contributor and the host of Ticker Take on YouTube.
