From Red to Gray : The "Third Transition" of Aging Populations in Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union
This report focuses on the challenges that the region's aging countries will now face in having to deal with multiple transitions. It argues that their task ahead, though uniquely daunting, is by no means impossible. Indeed, many of the potent...
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| Format: | Publication |
| Language: | English en_US |
| Published: |
Washington, DC: World Bank
2012
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2007/01/8101813/red-gray-third-transition-aging-populations-eastern-europe-former-soviet-union http://hdl.handle.net/10986/6741 |
| Summary: | This report focuses on the challenges
that the region's aging countries will now face in
having to deal with multiple transitions. It argues that
their task ahead, though uniquely daunting, is by no means
impossible. Indeed, many of the potential problems can be
addressed through sensible and thoughtful policies that can
be enacted over the next few years. The only danger likely
lies in complacency, in not being proactive in addressing
the challenges. This report finds, first, that some of the
concerns about aging in Eastern European and Former Soviet
countries are probably misplaced. Second, the analysis in
the report validates concerns about future fiscal strains in
some of the region's aging countries, but finds that
many of the drivers of higher future public expenditures are
unrelated to aging. This report is particularly focused on
the future-a future in the region that is critically
dependent on actions that countries and societies take now,
and over the next few years. The report sends two central
messages, which are analyzed against the different patterns
of aging across the region. Red light to green light:
Growing older does not have to mean growing slower. Aging is
not a stop sign for growth-if countries enact policies that
boost productivity and labor force participation. Red ink to
black ink: Waging sensible policies can ease aging's
spending impact. The policies needed to manage much of the
expected jump in public spending-especially the impacts on
pensions and on health care-are well known. They need only
to be enacted and implemented. |
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