1. Ageing Workforce, Social Cohesion and Sustainable Development – Political Challenges within the Baltic Sea Region
Baltic Sea Labour Forum ROUND TABLE
Dr Ann Zimmermann
Riga, 18. April 2018
Population Europe, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research

2. Project
Ageing Workforce, Social Cohesion and Sustainable Development – Political Challenges within the Baltic Sea States
Financed by CBSS Project Support Facility (PSF) from January – September 2018
Lead Partner: Population Europe / Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research
Co-Partners: Warsaw School of Economics, Lund University

3. Background
Population Ageing is inevitable in most of the Baltic Sea States.
For the next four decades, neither an increase in birth rates, nor increased immigration alone can substantially compensate for the effects of population ageing.
Increase of labour force participation: Better usage of the potentials we have, especially older workers and women.
Increase of productivity: Investment in human capital by improving and maintaining cognitive abilities throughout the life course.
The economic burden of population ageing is not a demographic destiny, but depends on the productivity of tomorrow’s workforce and how we make use of it.

4. Aims of the project
Identification of challenges and opportunities for policies fostering the labour force participation of older people.
Knowledge exchange and policy dialogue to contribute to evidence-based decision-making and to support the development of sustainable policies.

5. Output Discussion Paper Stakeholder dialogue: Policy Brief
High-level policy expert meeting
Public panel debate
Policy Brief
Dissemination

6. Discussion Paper
on patterns, preconditions and challenges of the employment of older people
on policy approaches, best practices and social innovations aiming at increasing the employment level of older people
contribution from researchers and policymakers from 11 countries
EU level (PE), interregional perspective (CBSS)

7. Authors from Research Country Researcher Denmark
Prof. Per H. Jensen, Aalborg University
Estonia
Dr Lauri Leppik, Estonian Institute for Population Studies, Tallinn University
Finland
Prof. Kathrin Komp, University of Helsinki
Germany
Dr Moritz Heß, TU Dortmund University / Laura Naegele, Universtiy of Vechta
Iceland:
Prof. Sigurveig H. Sigurðardóttir, University of Iceland
Latvia:
Prof. Atis Berzins, University of Latvia
Lithuania:
Prof. Boguslavas Gruzevskis, Vilnius University
Norway:
Prof. Per Erik Solem, NOVA, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University
Poland:
Dr hab. Agnieszka Chłoń-Domińczak, Warsaw School of Economics
Russian Federation:
Dr Sergei Vasin, National Research University Higher School of Economics
Sweden:
Prof. Tommy Bengtsson, Lund University / Haodong Qi, Lund University

8. Employment rates of age group 55-64 (%) and statutory retirement age in 2016
/60
Source: Eurostat

9. Regulatory factors affecting the level of employment of older people:
Retirement age
Early retirement regulations
Possibility to supplement pension income with earnings from work
Level of pension benefits

10. Employment rates of workers age 55-64 in Germany 1970-2016
Source: OECD,

11. Challenges
Employability of older workers (health, qualification, job satisfaction)
Age discrimination
Increasing social inequalities and new vulnerabilities

12. Policy recommendations
Flexible and gradual retirement schemes
Measures to promote good health
Incentives and practical systems for life-long learning and adult education
Adaptation of job conditions and workplaces to the needs of older persons
Anti-age-discrimination policies

13. Thank you!