Population ageing in Europe

Abstract

The aim of this article is the presentation of the level and perspectives of population ageing taking into account as a starting point the year 2005 and perspectives until 2004. Based on UN data, an ageing index in 2005 ranged from 33 in Albania to 138 in Italy. Till 2045 this index will have doubled, reaching its highest level in Germany (261) and Italy (251), though the most rapid population ageing will be recorded in Latvia, Ukraine, Estonia and Russia which will be influenced by increasing life expectancy and decrease in fertility. In case of parent support ratio (WWM), it should be stated that in more developed and wealthier countries where the level of social and medical care is high and the elderly are well provided for, while in poorer countries with less developed social infrastructure, the fact that which number of “theoretical children” will have or be able to take care of their “theoretical parents” isof great importance. In places where traditions of intergenerational families are strong, the issues of quiet evening of one's life will be more optimistic. The level of potential support ratio (WPW) will be changeable in Europe in the near future. It means that in countires with moe rapid ageing less and less group of people will contribute to the pensions of retirees. So, if the parent support ration represents more social situation (the level of medical and social care), the potential support ratio is significant from economic aspects (pensions, allowances) and is very important while making population projections. Based on the analysis of situation in particular countries, it can be concluded that population ageing process is unprecedented and will depen in all states, thus precautions should be taken to hamper unfavourable rends, particularly in fertility decline. In the level of parental support, the consequences of this phenomenon will largely depend on looking for system solutions, which, on one hand, allow to preserve generational ties and, on the other hand, they create conditions for active ageing of disabled persons and leading a peaceful existence of bedridden people. In economic aspect, one of solutions of preventing security systems is return migration, which would allow to maintain relations between the working and postworking population. Therefore, an active policy and widely understood actions in social and economic-financial sphere would be an underlying cause of expected success in alleviating negative consequences of ageing.