I have no idea why a Saudi female reporter decided to analyze two reports issued by the Ministry of Health and the Central Department of Statistics (CDS) about the average age of Saudis and how many would live to see the year 2077. We all know that nobody knows when he or she will die. According to her analysis, only six million Saudis over the age of 63 will be alive to see 2077. She is referring to young Saudis who are currently below 15, that is five percent of the total number of Saudis. Of course, newborn babies are lucky because they will live to see that year coming. It is a gloomy analysis if you ask me. According to the CDS report, the average age of Saudis is 74.4, with a slight difference between males and females. The average age of Saudi women is 75.6 while men die at the average age of 73.1. Again, we are talking hypothetically because only Allah knows when each one of us will breathe his or her last. Anyhow, I feel as though women are conspiring against us men to get rid of us. I am sure if men were to drive more safely and the number of accidents was to decrease, and the number of smokers was to go down along with the number of men who are obese, then we would see an increase in the average age of men. Close your eyes and imagine what life will be like in in 2077. Will our dreams come true? Will we still have the same problems? What about our challenges and ambitions? What about the housing crisis? Will our grandchildren be able to live in space thanks to scientific advancements? What about unemployment? Will women be driving cars? What about problems regarding the recruitment of maids? Will some Saudi sports teams be successful internationally? More importantly, what will our grandchildren think of us? Will they think that we left them a rich heritage which they continue to preserve? Now open your eyes and return to earth. Saudis in the year 2077 will definitely have their own dreams, ambitions and challenges. Let us learn from the past, live in the present and work for the future.
