New European Union frameworks to address active ageing

The ageing of the population has been an issue of concern since birth rates dropped sharply in the late 1960s, and continue to be a threat in a number of economic areas. But could the process of ageing also be seen as option to create new opportunities? This past year the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations put a focus on this aspect. During the whole year a wide range of stakeholders across Europe were mobilised to take action with the aim of creating new platforms, tools and formats to address ageing in a positive way. That the contribution of older people to the economy and to society is important and will be even more important in the future in this respect seems obvious, not only relating to the sustainability of the European welfare system.

The European Year has led to the implementation of hundreds of new initiatives and events of which many will be of long-term benefit at European, national, regional or local levels as they deal with employment, social participation and independent living of older people. A more fundamental outcome of the European Year is the endorsement of the ‘Guiding Principles for Active ageing and Solidarity between Generations’ by the EU’s Council of Ministers on 6 December 2012. These Guiding Principles address the different roles to be played by different stakeholders, e. g. Member States, regions and cities, and companies. These will be further developed by the EU Member States together with the European Commission in order to foster the further improving of conditions for active ageing over the coming years.

In addition, a new Active Ageing Index (AAI) has been presented for the first time to the public at the closing conference of the European Year on 10 December 2012. The index will help EU Member States to identify challenges and unrealised potentials and to monitor progress in the area of active ageing. The Index has been jointly developed by the European Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research in Vienna.

That Active Ageing is not just a buzz word is shown by the 10th ‘Norwegian Senior Policy Barometer’, carried out by The Centre for Senior Policy (CSP) in 2012 in cooperation with IPSOS and the Norwegian Social Research Institute (NOVA). According to their annual survey, which provides precise metrics about Norwegian society, there is a significant trend for employees wishing to stay active until a higher age. According to the latest research, the preferred retirement age has increased from 61 years in 2003 to 64.4 years in 2012. A good half of the respondents (51%) and even 64% in the 60+ age group said that they can see themselves working past retirement age; the corresponding figure was 35% in 2003. Active ageing could not be more concrete.