Population ageing and the onset of decline in the working-age population have become an increasing concern for most governments in the UNECE region. While ageing is a universal phenomenon across the region, there is great variation in its level and pace, mainly determined by a country’s stage in the demographic transition and by the scope and timing of fertility decline. In most countries, the period of economically favourable age structure of low youth and old-age dependency rates, the so-called demographic bonus, is gradually coming to an end. This change has important and far-reaching implications across all spheres of society, including on economic and social development, sustainability and equity.

To meet the policy challenges arising from population ageing, Member States of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) have committed to implement the Regional Strategy of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA/RIS). This requires regional level support in the form of coordinated data collection and monitoring, exchange of experience and analysis as well as capacity development. Since 2008, UNECE Working Group on Ageing is providing an intergovernmental platform for these activities.

click here for the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing