With sharp decreases in fertility rates and increases in life expectancy, the population across Europe is ageing, causing significant changes to the region’s demographic landscape.
From 2008 to 2013, the EU is expecting to see a 45% increase in the number of citizens over the age of 65. Forecasts further indicate that there will be two or more older people for each child by 2060, highlighting the extent of the so-called “grandparent boom”.
Against the backdrop of this phenomenon, a concept that is becoming increasingly prevalent is that of active ageing.
Active ageing aims to ensure that older people can lead quality lives through active lifestyles and the provision of adequate healthcare. In this context, the UN defines ‘older’ as a person over the age of 60. Recognising the increasing importance that older people will play in society, the European Union decided to make the year 2012 the ‘European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations’.
The demographic trends outlined above certainly create many challenges, especially when it comes to the sustainability of pension systems, employment and healthcare. At the same time, however, an ageing population can also lead to a range of positive developments. For instance, employment rates in the age bracket of 55 to 64 have been steadily increasing across EU member states. Likewise, the number of people aged 50 to 64 who are employed in the Maltese labour market has witnessed a 32% increase between 2000 and 2010.
The above-mentioned developments have equally entailed a change in people’s attitudes towards their careers. An EU survey revealed that one-third of Europeans currently in the labour force would like to continue working even after reaching the pensionable age. This percentage is even higher amongst older people, with 41% of over 55-year-olds stating that they want to continue working beyond the retirement age. In Malta, there are over 10,000 people who are still part of the workforce despite having reached a pensionable age. These figures emphasise the importance that policymakers need to attribute to providing support for older employees.
A clear example of such support is the enactment of legislation that seeks to reduce the hurdles encountered by older people who want to continue working. The EU has been tackling age discrimination with both anti-age discrimination directives and awareness-raising initiatives. In 2000, a directive was launched that requires all member states to implement a set of non-discrimination principles in the workplaces, with the aim of combating any potential age-biases in employment-related activities. Some awareness initiatives include funding for art and film productions to publicise this topic, along with studies carried out to further investigate social trends related to ageing.
Besides measures to prevent age discrimination, the EU also encourages member states to take further action in order to enhance a person’s ability to remain part of the workforce. In this respect, lifelong learning is one of the top priorities for the EU. Through lifelong learning, employees can continuously improve their skills and keep up to date with the latest developments in technology. Earlier this year, the European Commission launched an Employment Package that provides member states with guidelines to enhance employment opportunities and develop frameworks that provide effective training to their workforce. This package points out that knowledge in Information Communication Technology (ICT) is one of the areas in which there is great potential for development.
Government has also launched several programmes to support active ageing. Ensuring that older people remain engaged within their own communities is one such measure. State community day centres provide access to the Internet, computers, educational programmes and healthcare for older people. The centres also provide activities that allow people in the senior community to connect with each other. This is achieved through activities such as gym classes, dance lessons, art classes or educational talks. In some cases students are also invited to attend these events in order to share their experiences and connect with older members of society.
There are also several programmes dedicated to older people who are interested in sports, such as the St Vincent de Paul Residence FIT programme and the SWIMFIT programme. The SVPR FIT programme offers regular fitness classes whilst the SWIMFIT programme allows people above the age of 60 to use the swimming facilities at the University of Malta. Both of these programmes encourage older people to stay engaged in society whilst continuing to enjoy their hobbies.
The current demographic trends are often portrayed as a problem, with concerns expressed over deficiencies in healthcare, pension systems or public finances. The initiatives outlined above illustrate, however, that an ageing population also gives rise to a range of opportunities. The EU has already made great strides when it comes to addressing the changes ahead, so that people across Europe can reap the full benefits of the longer and healthier lives they will be living.