Population ageing and consumption demand in Belgium

This paper analyses the effect of population ageing on consumptions aggregates in Belgium. Since consumption expenditures change markedly over the life-cycle, the structure of aggregate consumption is likely to change in the course of population ageing. First, we estimate the effect of age on expenditures for 10 composite goods coming from household’s surveys. This is done using a pseudo-panel method. Second, age-specific profiles are used to forecast composition of consumption until 2050. The results point to increases in health, housing and leisure expenditures and decreases in equipment, clothing and transport expenditures. These changes are relatively moderate but non negligible. They will translate in sectoral shifts and most probably in changes in sectoral employment.