According to the latest Swiss Re sigma study, world insurance premium income grew 3.3% in real terms in 2007, reaching USD 4 061 billion. This growth was primarily driven by the life business in industrialised and emerging markets and to a lesser extent by the non-life business in the emerging markets.
24 Jun 2008 – Life insurance premiums increased 5.4%, which is above the previous ten year average. Non-life premium growth was robust in the emerging markets (+10%), but decreased in the industrialised countries (-0.3%). However, both the life and non-life industries are financially sound despite the challenging economic environment.
Life insurance: pension and annuity products drive growth
According to Daniel Staib, one of the study’s authors, “Despite a macroeconomic environment characterised by marginally slower economic growth and rising inflation, life insurance continued to expand in 2007 with world life insurance premiums increasing by 5.4% to USD 2 393 billion.” Sales of retirement and other wealth accumulation products spurred growth in the industrialised economies. Life insurance in the emerging markets was fuelled by strong economic performance and catch-up potential.
Key drivers of growth in the life business:
- the trend towards single premium business and pension and annuities products continued to drive sales in countries where an aging population and reductions in state social security benefits were causing a shift from a traditional life insurance model to a pension-driven one;
- the growing economies of the emerging markets with a relatively young population and an expanding middle class are driving sales across all products;
- in 2007, the severe credit crisis and turbulent financial markets did not significantly affect life insurance sales.
Non-life insurance: profitable despite slow growth
Global non-life premium growth slowed to 0.7% in real terms, totalling USD 1 668bn in 2007. Non-life premium growth continued to follow divergent trends in the industrialised and the emerging markets. While premium volume retreated in the industrialised markets, growth slowed marginally in the emerging markets. Though downward pressure on premium rates continued in some countries, overall technical results were favourable and profitability remained sound.
Outlook: healthy growth in life, a stagnant non-life sector
Growth in life insurance premiums in 2008 is expected to moderate as capital and stock market turmoil dampen demand. Daniel Staib notes, “As the economic environment and capital markets stabilise, life insurance is projected to resume its strong performance in the medium term, both in terms of growth and profitability.” In regard to the non-life business, he adds, “Non-life insurance premiums are expected to fall in the industrialised economies. However, non-life premiums will continue to grow in the emerging economies, albeit at a slightly slower rate than in the recent past. “
The effects of the sub-prime crisis are expected to be limited, resulting in lower investment results. A further concern is rising global inflation, which will increase claims costs in liability insurance and other long-tail business lines as well as hamper profitability.
Note: Swiss Re’s sigma study “World insurance in 2007” examines the insurance markets of 147 countries, making explicit reference to 88.
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Swiss Re is a leading and highly diversified global reinsurer. The company operates through offices in more than 25 countries. Founded in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1863, Swiss Re offers financial services products that enable risk-taking essential to enterprise and progress. The company’s traditional reinsurance products and related services for property and casualty, as well as the life and health business are complemented by insurance-based corporate finance solutions and supplementary services for comprehensive risk management. Swiss Re is rated “AA-” by Standard & Poor’s, “Aa2” by Moody’s, and “A+” by A.M. Best. www.swissre.com.
Tags: sigma, Swiss Re
