Economic growth and GDP growth have been dramatically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Both indicators are the factors that decisively affect the situation in the labour market, which is currently facing major challenges. One of the challenges is aging population. The number of the working- age population is declining, which may also have a significant impact on GDP growth in the future. The main purpose of the study is to analyse past and predicted GDP growth rates and the past and predicted shares of the working age population in the selected economies. Based on the analyses, the study attempts to identify the factors that are able to stimulate GDP growth while the size of working age population is predicted to shrink in the future. In the opening section of the empirical part, a comparison of the GDP evolution in China, Russia, USA, India, Slovakia and the EU is presented. Subsequently, long-term GDP and demographic forecasts are presented. It follows from the analyses that it is necessary to introduce new technologies to replace the shrinking workforce if sustainable economic growth is to achieve.

The economic development of countries is closely connected to human resources development. Education plays a pivotal role in the life of an individual and society as it provides chances for personal development and economic development of society. The Slovak Republic has been unable to cope with profound regional disparities in various areas for a long time. The existence of disparities is demonstrated by the evolution of educational attainment, which is integral to economic and regional development. The purpose of the paper was to determine the evolution of educational attainment of the economically active population in the regions of the Slovak Republic from 2000 to 2020. The educational attainment index was used to assess educational attainment. The research findings show that the educational attainment of the economically active population and employed population is increasing and is the highest in Bratislava. The educational level of the unemployed rises and falls irregularly depending on how the labour market evolves.