Dealing with the impact of an ageing population in the EU The news: The Commission is expected to adopt a Communication to the Council and the European Parliament on the impact of an ageing population in the EU in the context of the current economic crisis. An ageing society is fundamentally good news for Europe's citizens, the vast majority of whom are now able to lead active, healthy and participative lives well into old age. Ageing societies also demand new or adapted goods and services, bringing opportunities to innovative firms. However, they also will pose major economic, budgetary and social challenges. While potential economic growth is expected to decline, the need for public provision of age-related transfers and services will increase especially through pension, healthcare and long-term care spending. Europe is facing the worst economic crisis since World War II and its ability to restore growth and employment depends crucially on the deployment of targeted and well- coordinated policy responses, as stressed by the European Recovery Plan put in place by Member States. Success in tackling Europe's demographic challenge depends on a thriving, dynamic economy with rising productivity and efficiently functioning markets. The Commission proposes with this Communication clear policy orientations for the Member States and EU level policies in the current difficult economic situation. The Communication builds upon a staff working document, an update of a joint long-term economic and budgetary projection exercise (the "2009 Ageing Report") together with the Member States, available on ECFIN's website (see below). The background: The 2009 Ageing Report fulfils the mandate given by the ECOFIN Council, to update and further deepen its common exercise of age-related expenditure projections by autumn 2009, on the basis of a new population projection by Eurostat, which was released in April 2008. The projections feed into a variety of policy debates at EU level. In particular, they are of great relevance for the Lisbon strategy, used in the annual assessment of the sustainability of public finances carried out as part of the Stability and Growth Pact; in the context of the open method of co-ordination on pensions; and in the analysis on the impact of ageing populations on the labour market and potential growth. The event: Communication + report + press release + Memos The sources: For the most recent public analysis on the future costs of ageing and their impact on public finances go to DG Ecfin's website: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/analysis_structural_reforms/structural_reforms223_en.htm DG ECFINs website - The 2009 Ageing Report: economic and budgetary projections for the EU-27 Member States (2008-2060): http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/analysis_structural_reforms/structural_reforms223_en.htm 2006 Commission Communication on demography: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2006:0571:FIN:EN:PDF I-041880 Pension reform I-059540 VNR: Active ageing The contacts: Amelia Torres + 32 2 295 4629 amelia.torres@ec.europa.eu Marisa González + 32 2 295 1925 marisa.gonzales-iglesias@ec.europa.eu 8, See - Hoofdinhoud

The Commission i is expected to adopt a Communication to the Council and the European Parliament on the impact of an ageing population in the EU in the context of the current economic crisis.

An ageing society is fundamentally good news for Europe's citizens, the vast majority of whom are now able to lead active, healthy and participative lives well into old age. Ageing societies also demand new or adapted goods and services, bringing opportunities to innovative firms. However, they also will pose major economic, budgetary and social challenges. While potential economic growth is expected to decline, the need for public provision of age-related transfers and services will increase especially through pension, healthcare and long-term care spending.

Europe is facing the worst economic crisis since World War II and its ability to restore growth and employment depends crucially on the deployment of targeted and well-coordinated policy responses, as stressed by the European Recovery Plan put in place by Member States. Success in tackling Europe’s demographic challenge depends on a thriving, dynamic economy with rising productivity and efficiently functioning markets. The Commission proposes with this Communication clear policy orientations for the Member States and EU level policies in the current difficult economic situation.

The Communication builds upon a staff working document, an update of a joint long-term economic and budgetary projection exercise (the "2009 Ageing Report") together with the Member States, available on ECFIN's website (see below).

Achtergrond

The 2009 Ageing Report fulfils the mandate given by the ECOFIN Council, to update and further deepen its common exercise of age-related expenditure projections by autumn 2009, on the basis of a new population projection by Eurostat, which was released in April 2008. The projections feed into a variety of policy debates at EU level. In particular, they are of great relevance for the Lisbon strategy, used in the annual assessment of the sustainability of public finances carried out as part of the Stability and Growth Pact; in the context of the open method of co-ordination on pensions; and in the analysis on the impact of ageing populations on the labour market and potential growth.

Bijeenkomst

Communication + report + press release + Memos

Bronnen

For the most recent public analysis on the future costs of ageing and their impact on public finances go to DG Ecfin's website:

http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/analysis_structural_reforms/structural_reforms223_en.htm

DG ECFINs website - The 2009 Ageing Report:  economic and budgetary projections for the EU-27 Member States (2008-2060):

http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/analysis_structural_reforms/structural_reforms223_en.htm

2006 Commission Communication on demography:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2006:0571:FIN:EN:PDF

I-041880  Pension reform

I-059540   VNR: Active ageing

Perscontacten

Amelia Torres                 + 32 2 295 4629             amelia.torres@ec.europa.eu

Marisa González                         + 32 2 295 1925             marisa.gonzales-iglesias@ec.europa.eu