Active ageing: a strategic policy solution to demographic ageing in the European Union

Authors:
WALKER Alan, MALTBY Tony
Journal article citation:
International Journal of Social Welfare, 21(S1), October 2002, pp.S117-S130.
Publisher:
Wiley

Across the European Union, there has been a shift from a society that is predominantly young to one which is dominated by older cohorts. The ageing of European countries has widespread implications for current and future social and economic policies across the region. This article examines the emergence of discourses on ageing at the EU level, in particular concentrating on those concerning the increasingly universal policy concept of ‘active ageing’.  The problem with active ageing is that it lacks a precise universally accepted definition. The dominant policy paradigm is the economic one of working longer. The main purposes of this article are to explain why this strategy has emerged and its importance. Despite a great deal of positive political rhetoric, the response at all levels of policy making has been rather limited. An active social and public policy is required to mainstream active ageing as the leading paradigm for ageing policy across the EU. The year 2012 has been designated the’ European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity Between the Generations’, and thus offers a potential focus for renewed policy action.

Subject terms:
older people, social policy, ageing, employment, European Union;
Location(s):
Europe
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1468-2397
ISSN print:
1369-6866

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