Ageing of Europe

Percentage of the population over 65 in Europe in 2020
Population pyramid of the European Union in 2023
Europe population pyramid from 1950 to 2023

The ageing of Europe, also known as the greying of Europe, is a demographic phenomenon in Europe characterised by a decrease in fertility, a decrease in mortality rate, and a higher life expectancy among European populations.[1] Low birth rates and higher life expectancy contribute to the transformation of Europe's population pyramid shape. The most significant change is the transition towards a much older population structure, resulting in a decrease in the proportion of the working age while the number of the retired population increases. The total number of the older population is projected to increase greatly within the coming decades, with rising proportions of the post-war baby-boom generations reaching retirement. This will cause a high burden on the working age population as they provide for the increasing number of the older population.[2][3]

Throughout history many states have worked to keep high birth rates in order to have moderate taxes, more economic activity and more troops for their military.[4]

Population ageing is observed in most European countries today.

  1. ^ Giuseppe Carone and Declan Costello (2006). "Can Europe Afford to Grow Old?". International Monetary Fund Finance and Development magazine. Retrieved 15 December 2007.
  2. ^ "Population structure and ageing - Statistics Explained". Ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  3. ^ Iburg, KM; Charalampous, P; Allebeck, P (24 November 2022). "Burden of disease among older adults in Europe—trends in mortality and disability, 1990–2019". European Journal of Public Health. 33 (1): 121–126. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckac160. PMC 9897992. PMID 36421036.
  4. ^ "Europe's Shrinking, Aging Population". Stratfor.com. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2017.