Demographic aspects of ageing and time use in a set of European countries

This study examines demographic aspects of ageing in ten European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Switzerland, United Kingdom) and time use in seven countries (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, United Kingdom). In the whole Europe, the total working age population begins to decline after 2010. Ageing accelerates and by 2040 there will be almost equal number of individuals over 59 years compared to active people at age 20-59. The number of oldest old of age 75+ will be close to the number of children (under 15 years). The trend is that by 2050 over 30% of persons over 60 will be over 80 years, which is a dramatic change from the current level of around 10%. The variation in population growth prospects and ageing is noticeable. The biggest expected decrease in population size takes place in Germany, Finland and Italy. The increase in the proportion of middle-aged and elderly persons is most striking in Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Finland. The deepness of ageing problem in Germany explains why the largest countries UK, France and Germany are expected to be of the same size, around 66-73 million people, by 2050. Some countries like Norway and the UK are instead expected to steadily increase in population size. As the older age cohorts are healthier than before with an increase in life expectancy, active non-work time use is likely to be more important than before; also as an important determinant of early retirement. Active ageing policies towards wider participation in working life but also with an appropriate valuation of non-work time such as household work are important. – Ageing ; Retirement ; Demographic Change