2012 European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations
The European Union is experiencing significant population ageing. This demographic shift is the inevitable consequence of major achievements within our societies – greatly reduced mortality and therefore higher life expectancy.
The 2012 European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations raises awareness of the contribution that older people make to society and how this can be supported. It seeks to encourage and mobilise policymakers and relevant stakeholders at all levels to take action with the aim of creating better opportunities for active ageing and strengthening solidarity between generations.
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Europe is getting old
The average age in the European Union is 39.8 (Eurostat statistics), but by 2060 the average age of the EU citizen will be 47.2. Those aged 65 years or over will account for almost 30 % of the EU’s population by 2060 (16 % in 2010). Within a few years from now, the European working age population will diminish, while the population aged 65 and over will continue to increase by up to two million people a year. By 2060, there could be one elderly person (65+) for every two people of working age.
An older Europe presents various challenges: to our job market, to our health systems and to our living standards after we retire. Many fear that life will get worse for older people; others expect older people to look out for their own interests and impose a heavy burden
on the younger generations.
Do we really have to fear the future in our ageing societies? Definitely not if we preserve our health for longer, if we create more opportunities in the labour market for older workers; if we remain active members of the community; and if we can live in an environment where growing old does not mean becoming dependent on others – in short, if ‘active ageing’ becomes a reality for all of us. Let’s make sure that we have the best possible chance to remain healthy, active and independent as we grow older!
Active ageing
Active ageing means growing old in good health and as a full member of society, feeling more fulfilled in our jobs, more independent in our daily lives and more involved as citizens. No matter how old we are, we can still play our part in society and enjoy a better quality of life. The challenge is to make the most of the enormous potential that we harbour even at a more advanced age. The Year seeks to promote active ageing in three areas:
1. Employment
As life expectancy increases across Europe, pension ages are rising, but many fear that they will not be able to stay in their current jobs or to find another job until they can retire on a decent pension. We must give older workers better chances in the labour market.
Initiatives that could achieve this:
- Lifelong learning and acquisition of new skills
- Healthy working conditions
- Age management strategies in companies
- Transfer of experience
- Employment services for older job seekers
- No age discrimination
- Employment-friendly tax / benefit systems
2. Participation in society
Retiring from one’s job does not mean becoming idle. The contribution of older people to society as carers for others, typically their own parents or spouses and their grandchildren, is often overlooked; and so is their role as volunteers. The European Year seeks to ensure greater recognition of what older people bring to society and create more supportive conditions for them.
Initiatives that could achieve this:
- Income security in old age
- Support for social participation and volunteering
- Support for carers
- Reconciliation of work and care
- Solidarity and dialogue
- Bridging the digital divide
3.Promoting independent living
Our health declines as we grow old. But there is much that can be done to slow down this decline, and environments can be made much friendlier towards people suffering from various health impairments and disabilities. Active ageing also means empowering us as we age so that we can remain in charge of own lives for as long as possible.
Initiatives that could achieve this:
- Health promotion and preventive health care
- Accessible and affordable transport
- Age-friendly environments, goods and services
- Maximising autonomy in long term care
- Tailoring technology to boost / encourage independent living
- Adapted housing
What can we do?
Staying fit – both physically and mentally – is essential, both to profit from opportunities in the labour market and to enjoy a good quality of life. This means preventing diseases and injuries caused by poor working conditions as well as promoting healthy lifestyles. Life-long learning ensures that we have up-to-date skills right to the end of our careers. Employers can adapt working conditions, hours and arrangements, to better suit the needs of older employees. Governments should review their tax and benefit systems to ensure that work pays at any age.
Unpaid work provided by older people as volunteers in associations and as carers must be recognised and supported, for instance by providing training to carers as well as respite care to ensure that the burden does not become unbearable and isolate carers from the rest of society. In associations, younger people have much to gain from the experience, skills and cultural heritage of older people.
Throughout the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations, hundreds of activities, projects and communication events will take place and will be promoted both at the EU and national levels all around the Europe.
Stay in touch!
The website is the central meeting place of the European Year. There, you’ll find detailed information on all commitments and initiatives being undertaken to foster active ageing in Europe, plus news, events and inspiring intergenerational life stories. Click on ‘get involved’ to share with others what you are doing. Identify yourself as a partner of the European Year by using the logo in your activities!
