{"id":44143,"date":"2025-04-22T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.silvereco.org\/en\/?p=44143"},"modified":"2026-01-22T13:48:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T12:48:11","slug":"ageing-population-in-europe-a-demographic-crisis-for-the-eu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.silvereco.org\/en\/ageing-population-in-europe-a-demographic-crisis-for-the-eu\/","title":{"rendered":"Ageing population in Europe: A demographic crisis for the EU?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At the beginning of 2024, the population of the European Union was estimated at 449.3 million people, marking an increase of 0.3% compared to the previous year. This demographic growth, although positive, masks a deeper trend that could disrupt the European economy and society: population ageing. With a growing share of people over 65 and declining birth rates, the EU faces major challenges in the coming decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"Ageing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An inexorable demographic trend<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 2024, the proportion of people aged over 65 increased in 26 of the 27 EU countries<\/strong>, reaching record levels<\/strong> in Italy<\/a><\/strong> (24.3%), Portugal (24.1%), and Bulgaria (23.8%). Only Malta saw this share decrease. At the same time, the proportion of children (aged 0\u201314) remains low, with countries like Italy (12.2%) and Portugal (12.8%) recording the lowest rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This trend results from a combination of factors: increased life expectancy<\/strong> and historically low fertility rates<\/strong>. As a result, the median age of the population has risen by 2.2 years<\/strong> in a decade, reaching 44.7 years in 2024. In some countries, such as Italy and Portugal, the median age has increased by four years, reflecting the acceleration of ageing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ageing population in Europe: A significant economic and social impact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The ageing population presents a major economic challenge<\/strong>: a growing burden on the working-age population. The old-age dependency ratio<\/strong> (number of retirees per 100 working-age individuals) currently stands at 33.9% and is expected to nearly double by 2100, reaching almost 60%. This means that for every retiree, there will be fewer than two workers, putting increasing pressure on pension and healthcare systems<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ageing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, public spending<\/strong> related to healthcare and long-term care is set to rise<\/strong>. The share of people over 80<\/strong> in the total population is expected to triple by 2100<\/strong>, rising from 6.1% to 15.3%. This demographic transformation requires adaptation of infrastructure and public policy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What solutions for the EU?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In response to this looming crisis, several solutions <\/strong>are being considered:<\/p>\n\n\n\n