We must demystify old age. That was the message at the Copenhagen conference marking the beginning of the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity Between Generations 2012. The Nordic Labour Journal focuses on our changing demographics.
Europe’s age distribution is rapidly changing. The Danish Minster for Employment, Mette Frederiksen, pointed out there will be fewer young people in the labour market than people outside as early as in 2017. She said older people need to work a bit longer. The demographic challenges were also top of the agenda when Sweden’s Prime minister invited nine of his colleagues to the Northern Future Forum. As we live longer we must work for longer, goes the slogan in Norway. Why do Icelandic men work longer than anybody else? What do employers and authorities do to prolong the careers of older people?