Demographic Changes and Challenges in Europe

In the mid 20th century, people apparently believed that the many innovations, not least in technology, meant that nothing could replace the innovative powers of the young. Today, Europe is facing both the demographic and cultural challenges of an aging population and older workforce.
In the labour market, this demographic change is already being felt. It is true that there is an expectation that the shortfall of skilled labour will not kick in for 10 or 20 years. But the phenomenon of an aging workforce is already apparent today; the aging process will only accelerate. Companies are now forced to learn how to function and to remain innovative with a workforce whose average age is increasing. In addition, they need to find ways to include additional labour pools, in order to withstand international competition.
Many of the European and national programs therefore intend to foster the following:
■ that business and society develop a more constructive, realistic picture of the skills and abilities of older people;
■ that they deploy and utilize these skills and abilities better;
■ that corporate health policy aims to safeguard the work ability of the younger members of the workforce in the long term; and
■ that the productive collaboration of younger and older workers develops into a factor driving corporate success.
Extracted from: Dr. Kuhn, K. for AARP