Active Ageing in the Nordic Countries: Introduction

Abstract

T he year 2012 is designated as the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. The aim of the year is to raise awareness of the position of older people in a manner where they can enjoy a better quality of life and still play an active role in society. There are good reasons for designating 2012 as such a year.The OECD has estimated that by the year 2050, more than 33% of men and 38% of women in the EU25 will be 60 years or older compared with 18% and 24%, respectively, for the year 2000. The European Statistical Office projects that by 2060, there will be only two people of working age (15-64) in the EU for every person aged over 65, compared with a ratio of 4 to 1 today. Keeping in mind that an increasing share of the youth between 15 and 30 are studying, the consequences of these figures are even more challenging.Many politicians are seriously concerned about financing of the pensions and welfare systems. Another concern is how to allocate sufficient healthcare personnel to give the ageing population a decent service. These challenges are good reasons for the EU to include "solidarity between generations" as an element in the activity of this year.This special issue on active ageing is a contribution from the Nordic Journal of Working Life Studies to the year of active ageing. The articles examine work and ageing from different angles and horizons of understanding. Together, the articles question some of the myths that exist on ageing and work and assess some of the actions being taken to keep older workers in employment. This issue is therefore an important contribution to the development of our understanding of active ageing and measures used to develop an active ageing policy.Almost all articles of this special issue deal with active ageing in the working life. However, in line with the policy of the journal, also special issues are open for articles on other topics. Therefore, we have also included articles dealing with topics other than active ageing in this issue.The literature on active ageing in working life covers many aspects. We may distinguish between four main subjects of interest: Demography • Individual attitudes and decisions • The role of management and HRM practices at the workplace • Public measures, legislation, and agreements •

Active ageing – perspectives on health, participation, and security among older adults in northeastern Thailand – a qualitative study

“…Although the concept lacks a precise, universally agreed upon definition, the term has been widely used in many countries in the past 10 years [ 8 ]. European countries designated 2012 as the European Year for Active Ageing to raise awareness of the position of older people still playing an active role in society [ 14 ]. Many European countries, such as Malta (2014–2020), Ireland (2013), Latvia, Lithuania, and Northern Ireland (2016–2021), have developed and expanded strategic active ageing policies over the past decade [ 15 ].…”

Do (gendered) ageism and ethnic minorities explain workplace bullying?

“…Jyrkinen and McKie, 2012;Rippon et al, 2015;Trusinov a, 2014). Reports convey more positive attitudes toward older employees in Nordic countries than in southern and Eastern Europe (Salomon, 2012). We use survey data from Estonia, an exciting study site because, on the one hand, the country is gender-egalitarian and age-friendly when looking at employment rates.…”

Perspectives on Health, Participation, and Security Related to Active Aging Among Older Adults in North-eastern Thailand – a qualitative study

“…However, although it is considered as a concept that lacks a precise universally agreed upon de nition and as being too wide to use appropriately with diverse people, it has been widely used in many countries beyond these past 10 years [8]. The European countries designated the year 2012 as the European Year for Active Aging and Solidarity between Generations, to raise awareness of the position of older people enjoying a better quality of life and still playing an active role in society [12]. The concept of active aging was used as an important policy in Nordic countries.…”