Age groups and quality of life: Eurofound looks at winners and losers

Many policies are developed and implemented through the prism of age. Addressing differences in the economic and social circumstances of different age groups is an ongoing concern of policymakers. This policy brief looks at inequalities in the quality of life of Europeans across six age groups. It examines developments between 2011 and 2016 to assess whether the impact of the economic crisis on quality of life has decreased with the economic recovery, for which age groups and in what countries.

Among the key findings of the reports, we note that there are substantial differences in quality of life across age groups in Europe. Generally, there is a clear divide between the east–west and the north–south: the older generations in general enjoy better quality of life than younger age groups in western Europe, while the younger generations are better off in eastern Europe. Taking the example of social exclusion: in western Europe and the Mediterranean, the feeling of being socially excluded generally rises until middle age and declines towards old age. There is little difference across age groups in eastern Europe, apart from the Balkan cluster (Bulgaria and Romania), where it is slightly higher among people aged 75 and over.

Eurofound lists a couple of policy pointers:

• Recognising the needs of a diverse society;
• Promoting intergenerational fairness;
• Addressing the needs of the oldest old;
• Addressing the needs of young people;
• Improving political participation in eastern Europe.

Most of these policy pointers are actually in line with AGE’s main messages and the recommendations of AGE Manifesto for the EU elections.

Eurofound policy brief is available here