Commentary: Demographic change demands a strategic response

Abstract

Despite its seriousness, demographic change still does not hold the place it deserves in the popular consciousness. In fact, it has become a silent yet persistent companion in developed societies, affecting the social, economic and political spheres of life. The reasons for demographic change vary across the world. But its effects are similar, which is why it requires an integrated approach. The European Union has made considerable progress in the last decades and now faces an ageing population. The causes of this are a lower birth rate, longer life expectancy and the ageing of the baby boomers. At the same time, people, who have not yet ‘succumbed’ to the causes of the lower birth rate are entering the EU from other parts of the world. While offering some solutions, immigration also opens up new problems. Since, for economic reasons, it is inevitably bound to continue in the future, a well-coordinated EU immigration policy is a must. That, however, is another topic. Nearly all EU Member States face similar demographic trends. In Slovenia, the 1980– 2004 period saw a rapid decrease in youth population and an increasing number of elderly. Only in the past three years have we been able to slow down the decline in the birth rate. The year 2007 saw the largest number of births in the past 15 years, while 2008 is forecast to top this growth by 15–20%. Responses to demographic change have often met with disapproval, in particular the pension reforms which lengthened the active employment period. Since 2000, the active employment period in Slovenia has been gradually extended every year; these are gradual, minor adjustments which have significant effects on the pension fund. Slovenia first tackled demographic change more seriously at the beginning of the 1990s. In 1997 the first Strategy for Care of the Elderly was prepared, mainly to alleviate any negative effects. This document encouraged services and programmes enabling the elderly to remain in their home environment for as long as possible. The year 2006 commenced with the new Strategy of Care for the Elderly until 2010— Solidarity, Living Together and Quality Ageing of the Population. This considers demographic change and its effects in a broader sense, as it does not focus solely on