Insurance Services Market Intelligence

Industry Outlook & Drivers

Global Market Outlook on Insurance Services

The global life and health insurance industry is set to grow at 6.5% per annum during 2018 and 2019. It is predicted that the premium income is expected to grow nominally, slightly higher than real growth of 4% expected in 2018.

Market Outlook

• It has been observed that life insurance premium development is relatively stable in most of the emerging markets in 2018 and 2019. It is expected to be average 6.5% (5% in real terms) in Eastern Europe, 8.5% (6.5% in real terms) in LATAM, and 8% in the MENA region.
• It has been observed that the global workforce has been aging, which means older workforce typically needs more health needs, resulting in higher healthcare expenditures
• Lifestyle obesity, smoking substance abuse, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity intensify utilization of health services. It has been observed that over 70% of Americans are considered overweight and lack physical activity
• Overall, the global healthcare costs are expected to increase by 8.5%, which is expected to increase the demand for health insurance
• It has been observed that in Spain and Germany more than 80% of the population have subscribed to social security, which covers life and health
• It has been observed that in Spain and Germany, the rise in premium has remained moderate

Market Drivers and Constraints

The global economic environment continues to be a key driver for the insurance markets. The life and health insurance sector growth is predicted to be largely based on demand from emerging markets (emerging Asia, LATAM, MENA).

Global increase in healthcare costs by 8.5% is considered as a major marker driver for health insurance.

Drivers

• Consolidation of providers, payers and pharmaceutical, and life science companies have engaged in the merger and acquisition activity in the recent years. As a result, organizations are gaining greater market share and negotiating power, it is observed that a consolidated healthcare market drives the health care prices upward
• Technology and treatment innovation pharmaceutical, life science, and medical device industries are launching new products every year, with high cost that boost utilization globally
• It has been observed that automation will reduce the cost of operation and process time
• The government-funded insurance schemes are not performing well in the UK (National Health Scheme), and thus, the demand for private life and health carriers have increased (the UK is unstable based on the amount of premium because of Brexit and National Health Scheme)

Constraints

• The global economic market slowed in 2016, as both advanced and emerging markets witnessed diminished growth. Equity markets and interest rates progressed favorably toward the end of 2016, improvement can at best be gradual with the political landscape being in a flux
• It was observed that competitive pressure remained high for life and health insurance, though the average price decline moderated
• Creating globally consistent accounting standards, adapting a comprehensive risk-based capital framework, treating customers fairly, and ensuring development of robust technology infrastructure were the key themes that regulators focused

Market Trends and Drivers – Insurance Services

Analysis of the historical medical cost trend reveals the forces that repeatedly influenced healthcare costs. They include economy-wide drivers, such as demographics and American lifestyle trends, and healthcare-specific influences, such as technology and treatment, innovations, and payment model changes.

Economy-wide Drivers

Income 

Higher income is associated with higher health spending. Growth has been slow in the past decade, income is rising on an average and within them healthcare spending

Demographics

There has been an increase in elderly population. It was observed in 2012, that 15.9 percent of the civilian labor force was between the age 55 and 64; and this is expected to increase to 17.3 by 2022. An older workforce typically has more health needs, resulting in higher healthcare expenditures.

Lifestyle

Obesity, smoking, substance abuse, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity intensify the utilization of health services 24/7. Over 70% of the Americans are considered overweight, and abuse of opioids, such as heroin and prescription pain relievers, is on the rise. These growing health risks drive healthcare costs upward.

Healthcare-specific Drivers

Technology and treatment innovation

The pharmaceutical, life sciences, and medical device industries are funding for research and development and launches new products every year, some with hefty price tags and potential to boost utilization.

Government regulation

From nurse staffing levels to the use of health information technology, government regulation has long had an influence on healthcare costs.