Intergenerational relations in an ageing society: Emerging topics in Europe

Continued increase in longevity and continuing low birth rates will challenge the European community in a way that is unprecedented in its history. According to extrapolations of the European Commission (2005), society will experience drastic structural changes in an increasingly globalized world; there will be fewer children, young people, and adults of working age on one side and more elderly workers (55–64 years), old (65–79 years), and very old people (80+ years) on the other side. The impacts of social change on the individual and on society will be manifold and they will concern several levels of the socioecological context. Most notably, the gross national product in Europe will drop significantly, from 2–2.25% today to 1.25% in 2040. In general, financial and social resources of the society will be dramatically challenged. Migration and integration, intergenerational relations—especially solidarity between generations, social exclusion, and social inequalities will therefore be areas of concern.