Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland; Ministry of Finance, Finland; Global Coalition on Aging, Bank of Finland, Finance Finland
Silver Economy Forum focuses on the opportunities brought by ageing
“The fact that societies have succeeded in making longevity more and more common must be seen as a success. Older people are now healthier, able to function better, and are more active than ever before. There is still a lot to do, but this is a positive change and brings with it many new opportunities, even for businesses”, said Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne as he inaugurated the High-Level Forum on the Silver Economy at Finlandia Hall, Helsinki, on 9 July 2019.
“The theme of the Silver Economy Forum is very topical. The ageing of the population affects not only Finnish society, but many other societies around the world. According to the statistics, 20 per cent of the population in the EU is over 65 years, and their share is increasing. “
According to a recent report by the European Commission, the ratio of people aged over 65 to the working-age population will rise within the EU from the current roughly 30 per cent to over 50 per cent by 2070. This increase is largely explained by a sharp rise in the share of very aged people, the over 80-year-olds. The very definition of old age has been substantially renewed, which is reflected in employment statistics, among others. While in 1999, the employment rate of people between 55 and 64 years in Finland was 41 per cent, it amounts today to 65 per cent.
Regardless of age, health and wellbeing are a prerequisite for sustainable economic growth and stability. Economic growth, in turn, enables society to invest in greater wellbeing. For example, there is evidence that efficient preventive health services pay for themselves many times over.
“The ageing of our global population is the most consequential megatrend of our time,” said Michael W. Hodin, PhD, CEO of the Global Coalition on Aging and co-organiser of the Forum. “Business and government alike have critical roles to play to combat the negative and incorrect assumption that our ageing populations around the world are drains on society, but in fact can be become drivers of economic growth and benefits to all of us as we age.”
What is the Silver Economy Forum?
The Silver Economy Forum is a unique joint endeavour of policy-makers, governments and businesses. It brings together more than 600 politicians, public officials, experts, researchers and business leaders.
This is the first global high-level economic and policy forum on ageing with special focus on digitalisation and the deployment of new technologies.
The Forum is co-organised by the Finnish Government, the Bank of Finland, Finance Finland and the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA). The event is part of the official programme of Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Inquiries
Sarita Friman, Secretary General of the event, tel. +358 295 163 349, [email protected]