Bill Gates’ Bold Philanthropic Vision: Shutting Down the Gates Foundation by 2045

by News Editor

May 9, 2025

In a remarkable announcement, Bill Gates has shared his determination to distribute nearly all of his $168 billion personal wealth and close the Gates Foundation by December 31, 2045. Gates, at 69, emphasizes his commitment to solving global issues, insisting his legacy will not be defined by wealth. His goal is to be removed from the world’s richest list, a pledge he’s upheld over the years.

Since its inception in 2000, the Gates Foundation has dispersed over $100 billion globally, addressing health, poverty, and climate change. With plans to increase the annual budget from $6 billion to $9 billion, there’s an expectation of contributing an additional $200 million in the years leading up to 2045, subject to market conditions.

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Gates aims to combat preventable diseases, bolster education, and break poverty cycles in Africa. However, he stresses the critical need for governmental partnerships, highlighting a concerning trend of aid budget reductions. No philanthropic endeavor can singularly bridge this financial gap, a sentiment echoed during discussions of large-scale geopolitical financial strategies like Hellenic Bank’s recent commitments to green financing.

Influenced by his mother and collaborators like Warren Buffett, Gates is an optimist about the future, fueled by technological and healthcare advances. Reflecting on Andrew Carnegie’s notion that dying rich equates to disgrace, Gates encourages fellow wealthy individuals to increase their philanthropic engagements.

Hope in Future Innovations

While steadfast in his purpose, Gates remains inspired by technological advancements, including the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence. Despite these optimistic prospects, Gates humorously rebuffs any notion of indulgence, asserting that every dollar should serve a beneficial societal purpose.

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Cyprus Expected Working Life Reaches 39.5 Years, Above EU Average

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 20, 2026

People in Cyprus are expected to spend 39.5 years in the workforce, around two years longer than the European Union average of 37.5 years, according to the latest Eurostat data for 2025.

The figure places Cyprus among the EU countries with the longest expected working lives.

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Cyprus Ranks Above EU Average

Only a handful of member states recorded higher figures than Cyprus. The Netherlands topped the ranking at 44 years, followed by Sweden at 43.4 years, Denmark at 42.6 years, and Estonia at 41.5 years.

At the other end of the ranking were Romania with 32.7 years, Italy with 33.0 years, Bulgaria with 34.6 years and Greece with 35.3 years.

Gender Gap Remains Wider Than EU Average

Men in Cyprus are expected to remain in work for 42.1 years, compared with 36.7 years for women. The gap of 5.4 years exceeds the EU average gender gap of 4.1 years.

Across the bloc, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were the only countries where women were expected to spend longer in employment than men. Finland recorded the smallest positive gender gap at 0.7 years.

Italy posted the widest gap at 8.9 years, followed by Romania at 6.9 years, Greece at 6.7 years and Malta at 6.3 years.

Working Lives Continue To Lengthen

Between 2016 and 2025, expected working life in Cyprus increased by 3.5 years, placing the country among the strongest performers in the EU over the period. Men’s expected working life rose by 3.3 years, while women’s increased by 3.6 years.

Across the EU, every member state recorded an increase. Malta posted the largest gain at 4.9 years, followed by Hungary and Ireland at 4.2 years each, and the Netherlands at 4.1 years.

Malta’s increase was driven largely by women, whose expected working life rose by 7.8 years, the biggest increase recorded across the bloc.

By comparison, Romania, Spain, Italy, Germany and Austria recorded gains of two years or less over the same period.

Women’s Working Lives Increase Faster Across Europe

Women’s expected working life increased faster than men’s in most EU countries. Denmark, Romania, Sweden and Greece were the main exceptions.

In Cyprus, gains for men and women were broadly similar, alongside Bulgaria, Belgium and Slovenia.

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