World Demographic & Ageing Forum

What World Demographic & Ageing Forum does

The World Demographic & Ageing Forum is a non-profit foundation headquartered in St. Gallen, Switzerland, that operates as an international, intergenerational platform addressing population ageing and generational issues. Founded in 2002 and restructured as a foundation ('WDA Forum Switzerland') in 2009, it convenes policymakers, business leaders, academics, and the general public through an annual international congress (held at the University of St. Gallen since 2004, typically featuring 40 speakers and 400-450 participants), regional expert dialogues such as the Demografie Dialog Schweiz (since 2012), and educational programs including a Master Class at the University of St. Gallen (since 2009).

The organization's offering portfolio is organized around three research pillars: Longevity (including the Global Longevity Council and Global Longevity Expertise initiatives), Financial Demography (analysis of demographic impacts on financial markets, savings, and macroeconomic indicators), and Africa (examining the demographic dividend through study tours, expert workshops, and publications in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation). Supporting products include the Erich Walser Generationenpreis triennial award (CHF 20,000, sponsored by Helvetia Versicherungen since 2005), the WDA Next Generation Platform (launched February 2020 for student position papers), the WDA Generationenclub membership (CHF 200/year with event discounts), the WDA Arbeitswelt workplace program, and an extensive publications series. Core partners include Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Stanford University, Fudan University, Swissnex Network, and the Institute of Insurance Economics at the University of St. Gallen.

The business model is non-commercial in nature, with revenue generated from three primary streams: Generationenclub individual membership subscriptions (CHF 200 annually), corporate sponsorships and donations (anchored by Helvetia Versicherungen), and event/conference participation fees. The organization employs 11-50 staff and is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Dr. Hans Groth, who also serves as Director. There is no disclosed funding from venture or private equity sources, and the organization is not listed on any public exchange.

Name

World Demographic & Ageing Forum

Legal name

World Demographic & Ageing Forum

Website

https://wdaforum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The World Demographic & Ageing Forum is a Swiss non-profit foundation, founded in 2002 in St. Gallen, that convenes policymakers, business leaders, and academics through international congresses, expert dialogues, and research publications on population ageing, longevity, financial demography, and the African demographic dividend.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Demographic Research & Policy Advisory

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Senior/Third-Age Lifelong Learning Institutes (EDAAAEAJ), Official Development Assistance (ODA) Program Management (BPADAOAC)

Keywords

• Demographic research
• Population ageing studies
• Intergenerational dialogue
• Longevity research
• Generational policy advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Sankt Gallen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: The WDA Generationenclub membership program charges annual fees to individuals seeking access to demographic expertise, networking, and discounted event access.
2. Sponsorships and Donations: The organization relies on support from sponsors, donors, and partners including Helvetia Versicherungen and other corporate supporters.
3. Event Revenue: Revenue generated from congress and conference participation fees, with 50% discount offered to Generationenclub members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The World Demographic & Ageing Forum (WDA Forum) is a non-profit foundation that convenes international congresses, expert events, and regional dialogues on demographic change, population ageing, longevity, and intergenerational issues. It produces academic publications (discussion papers, position papers, scientific work) and operates a membership club, an awards program, and a Master Class at the University of St. Gallen.

Product overview

The World Demographic & Ageing Forum is a non-profit organization founded in 2002 in St. Gallen, Switzerland, that serves as an international, intergenerational platform for population aging and generational issues. The organization operates as a single unified offering portfolio organized around three core pillars: Longevity (research on increasing life expectancy globally), Financial Demography (analysis of demographic impacts on financial markets), and Africa initiatives (examining demographic dividend opportunities). The portfolio consists of the annual World Demographic & Ageing Forum Congress as the flagship event, complemented by the WDA Demografie Dialog Schweiz (expert dialogue series), expert events, the Erich Walser Generationenpreis (generations award), and the WDA Next Generation Platform (student papers). Supporting offerings include the WDA Generationenclub membership, Master Class educational programs, and a comprehensive publications series including discussion papers, position papers, and scientific work. The organization also conducts university lectures at institutions including Andrássy Universität Budapest.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• World Demographic & Ageing Forum Congress Flagship annual international congress held at the University of St. Gallen since 2004, convening business, science, and society for 2-3 days of dialogue on demographic change with approximately 40 speakers and 400-450 participants.
• WDA Forum Expert Events

Quantifiable outcome

• Since 2004, hosted 10+ international congresses with 40 speakers and 400-450 participants each
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• WDA Generationenclub MembersminorOthers · 1 January 2012Individual members paying CHF 200 annually for access to events, 50% discount on event prices, and networking within the demographic change community.
• Helvetia VersicherungencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Primary corporate sponsor of the Erich Walser Generationenpreis (CHF 20,000 prize), awarded triennially to individuals advancing intergenerational understanding. Helvetia CEO sits on the prize jury.
• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Academic partnership for research collaboration on population ageing and global health demographics. Harvard provides academic rigor and international research perspective to WDA Forum activities.
• Stanford UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Academic partnership contributing research expertise and thought leadership on demographic issues. Stanford collaboration enhances WDA Forum's academic credibility and research capabilities.
• Fudan UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Academic partnership providing Asian demographic perspective, particularly valuable given China's rapid demographic transition. Fudan contributes expertise on East Asian population dynamics.
• Swissnex Network of Science and TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Collaboration with Swissnex network extends WDA Forum's reach in science and technology ecosystems globally, supporting international knowledge exchange.
• Institute of Insurance Economics at University of St. GallencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Long-standing collaboration with the Institute of Insurance Economics (I.VW), leveraging expertise on retirement, pensions, and insurance implications of demographic change. Co-organizes Erich Walser Generationenpreis.
• Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Partnership with Swiss government development agency, particularly relevant for WDA Forum's Africa focus and development cooperation work on demographic dividends.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• HelpAge International: HelpAge International is a global non-profit advocating for the rights of older people, with a similar mission of advancing intergenerational understanding and the well-being of aging populations through research, advocacy, and convening.
• European Association for Population Studies (EAPS): EAPS is a Europe-based scholarly association promoting population research through conferences, working groups, and publications. Directly comparable to WDA Forum as an academic/professional association focused on demographic research and convening.
• International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA): IIASA is a non-profit research institute that convenes international experts on population dynamics, aging, and systemic global challenges. Like WDA Forum it operates as a non-profit convening/research platform with cross-disciplinary demographic focus hosted in a European academic context.
• International Longevity Centre (ILC): ILC is a globally networked think tank focused on the impact of aging on society. It is comparable to WDA Forum as a non-profit convening organization that publishes research, hosts expert events, and engages policymakers on longevity and generational issues.
• Global Ageing Network (GAN): GAN is an international non-profit network of aging services organizations, focused on improving the quality of life of older adults globally. Comparable to WDA Forum as a non-profit membership/convening organization focused on aging populations.
• Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research: One of the world's leading demographic research institutes, focused on aging, longevity, and population dynamics. Directly comparable to WDA Forum's demographic research, publications, and convening activities, though with a larger permanent research staff.
• Population Reference Bureau (PRB): PRB is a non-profit that informs policymakers, educators, and the public about population, health, and development trends. Strongly comparable to WDA Forum's mix of research, publications, and policy-focused convening on demographic topics.

Broad incumbents

• Club of Rome: Club of Rome is a globally recognized think tank producing influential reports on global megatrends including population dynamics. It is a broader incumbent operating across many global issues, whereas WDA Forum specializes in demographic change and aging.
• AARP International: AARP is one of the largest non-profit organizations focused on aging issues, with advocacy, research, and convening activities. It is a much larger incumbent in the same demographic/aging space, though primarily U.S.-focused rather than European.
• United Nations Population Division (UN DESA): The UN Population Division produces authoritative global demographic research and convenes governments on population issues. It is a much larger incumbent addressing the same demographic subject matter as WDA Forum, but with official intergovernmental scope rather than an independent foundation model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/wdaforum/videos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wda-forum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about World Demographic & Ageing Forum