Safeguarding one’s wealth and health in today’s modern world is becoming increasingly complicated. Citizens in developed economies continue to face new challenges, such as life-altering financial decisions and retirement, that used to be largely the responsibility of governments and employers. Those living in rapidly-growing economies, where social and economic circumstances are undergoing significant transformations must now similarly deal with unfamiliar financial products such as pensions, investments for retirement, and insurance.

Reality check-ups: Knowledge gaps in health, wealth, and quality of life, an Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report supported by MetLife Japan, analyses the results of a survey of 1,600 respondents across eight economies: Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and the United States. The survey asked respondents 10 questions on their expectations for their future health, wealth, and quality of life. Their answers were compared against the “reality” of what citizens of their countries typically experience in these areas based on data and forecasts from the EIU, World Health Organization, World Bank, and other sources.