By László Andor - 31st January 2012
One third of Europeans say they would like to work beyond their pensionable age
László Andor
Active ageing is the basis for solidarity between our generations, writes László Andor.
We are all living longer and healthier lives than ever before. Since 1960, life expectancy has risen by eight years. Demographic projections foresee a further five-year increase over the next five decades. This is an historic achievement.
At the same time, this means that the European Union is ageing fast. By 2060, estimates show there will be only two Europeans of working age (15-64) for every person over 65. Today this ratio is four to one.
The tilting of the balance between age groups is perceived by many as a threat to our prosperity and welfare systems. The growing number of older people is frequently seen as a potential burden on the younger generation. Some even fear that the growing proportion of older voters will mean less investment in young people’s future. But the key point often missed is that older people carry valuable skills and experience from which young people can benefit greatly. People also have strong personal ties across generations where both the old and the young care for each other.
In terms of how Europeans feel about ageing, a new Eurobarometer survey shows that European citizens are not overly concerned about the challenges of growing old. Contrary to the views of many experts and policymakers, only one in 10 Europeans is very concerned about ageing.
The Eurobarometer survey also showed that most Europeans want opportunities for active ageing. A clear majority rejects mandatory retirement ages. Two thirds of those currently working say that a combination of a partial pension with part-time employment is more attractive than full retirement. One third of Europeans say they would like to work beyond their pensionable age. This willingness to stay active rises with the respondents’ ages, showing that many Europeans are ready for active ageing.
That’s why I am confident that we can tackle the challenges of our ageing societies if we create more opportunities in the labour market for older workers. We need to help older people preserve their health for longer and allow them, if they are able, to remain active members of the community, creating the right conditions where growing old is not synonymous with becoming dependent on others. By making active ageing a reality, we will all remain in charge of our own lives much longer than today.
But active ageing will neither happen by decree, nor through directives. It requires all levels of government, businesses and social partners, civil society, the media and individual citizens to adapt and to play their part in remodelling society for an older population.
The 2012 European year of active ageing and solidarity between generations will encourage and mobilise policymakers and stakeholders to contribute to this common endeavour. The aim is to help create better opportunities for active ageing and to strengthen solidarity between generations.
In all of this, the EU has a key role to play. Our efforts are not limited to creating a framework for joint action. We are already dealing with a wide range of issues ranging from employment to public health, information society, transport and social protection. All of these policy areas can contribute to active ageing.
Throughout the European year, I would like to see different players make concrete commitments to actions and goals so that we will really see opportunities for older people improve. The European year has to go beyond awareness-raising. It must be a year of engagement, where all of us think about what we can do to make active ageing a reality and to strengthen solidarity between generations.
Commitments can range from legislative reform, like removing obstacles that prevent older people from staying in employment, or can focus on carrying out analysis or public debates to raise awareness or identify specific priorities for action. Cities can join the age-friendly cities programme of the World Health Organisation. Companies can improve the working conditions for older workers and civil society organisations can foster senior volunteering.
The European year website is the place where commitments can be made public. It is also where to find ideas and draw inspiration from what is going on around Europe. So go to our website at http://europa.eu/ey2012/ and make sure your contribution to active ageing and solidarity between generations is clear and visible.
László Andor is European employment, social affairs and inclusion commissioner
