In co-operation with the European Commission a European congress titled "Demographic change as an opportunity – the economic potential of the elderly" will be hosted by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth on 17 and 18 April 2007 in Berlin. Today, the Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, Mrs Ursula von der Leyen and the EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Mr Vladimír Špidla, have emphasized the importance of the elderly generation for Europe on the occasion of the congress opening: "By using their professional experience, their outside work commitment and not least their purchasing power, elderly people may significantly contribute to growth and economic development."
In her speech to approximately 400 congress participants from all EU member states, Mrs Ursula von der Leyen said: “This event shall convey the following messages:
Elderly people are an asset to our society. They have skills and potential.
In our society, we need elderly people – we would like to benefit from their know-how for a better co-operation between the generations, for economic growth and the labour market.
With the so-called “silver economy” which focuses on senior citizens as consumers, Europe can open up a new, profitable market and become a trend-setter world-wide.”
Nearly all of the member states of the European Union are experiencing the same development: the birth rate has been decreasing since the mid-sixties. In 1970, the birth rate within in the EU of the 25 amounted to 2.35, today it comes to 1.52. In the decades to come, the population of nearly 500 million in the 27 current member states will noticeably decline. The group of those capable to work aged between 15 and 65 will fall by approximately 50 millions, whereas the number of those aged over 80 will triple. The large potential of this so-called "silver economy" is shown by a new study conducted by the German Institute for Economic Research.
According to this study, the 60+ generation in Germany has a purchasing power of 316 billion Euros and thus contributes nearly one third of the total private consumption. Until 2050, this share will increase to 386 billion Euros solely for demographic reasons and will amount to more than 41 percent of the total consumption.
The objective of the two-day event is to highlight the economic potential of elderly people and to continue the discourse between the European countries. The congress participants from politics, industry, administration, science and civil society will exchange experiences and will discuss strategies on how to deal with demographic change.
Practical examples from various EU member states will be presented to show which opportunities the demographic change may have for economic growth and employment. They will demonstrate how the economy may benefit from actively integrating elderly people, for instance in product development or in management consultancy. The practical examples will demonstrate how elderly people may benefit from good products and services improving the quality of life in old age if enterprises take their consumption requests and requirements seriously. Renown experts from industry, science, politics and society will present their ideas.
The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth has chosen the guiding principle "Seize demographic change as an opportunity and promote equal opportunities for all at work and in society” for the EU Council Presidency. The major point „Experience shapes the future: recognise opportunities – use knowledge and experience – develop new markets" is supported by the following initiatives:
Please find further information on the main subjects and events organized by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth within the framework of the German Council Presidency on the internet at: http://www.bmfsfj.de/eupresidency/root.html
