Population Ageing in Central and Eastern Europe: Societal and Policy Implications

During the 1990s, Europe became the first continent with a 'mature society', where people aged 60 years and older outnumber children and as this trend continues, the resulting 'ageing societies' will differ from previous societies in their make-up, in their needs, and in their resource allocation. Population ageing poses an even greater challenge to the post-communist societies of Central and Eastern Europe. While still struggling to cope with the aftermath of the economic and social transition process following the breakdown of communism, they are now facing even more rapid demographic change than Western Europe. This book brings together leading scholars to present an understanding of the processes underlying the very rapid population ageing in Central and Eastern Europe. In addition to discussing the main demographic drivers behind this development in each of the countries examined, this volume also discusses its implications for policy, healthcare provision, workforces, intergenerational family relations, the social cohesion of future Central and Eastern European societies, and the quality of life experienced by their citizens. Organised around broad geographical regions with final sections analysing the book's findings and their future implications, Population Ageing in Central and Eastern Europe will be of interest to gerontologists, policy makers, students and scholars of population change

Table of Contents:
1: Introduction: The Drivers of Population Ageing in Central and Eastern Europe – Fertility, Mortality and Migration; I: Population Ageing in Eastern Europe; 2: Population Ageing in Poland; 3: Population Ageing in Lithuania: The Need for a New Attitude Towards Ageing; 4: Heterogeneity of Population Ageing in Russia and Policy Implications; II: Population Ageing in Central-Eastern Europe; 5: Population Ageing in the Czech Republic; 6: Ageing in Hungary: Demography and Labour Market Challenges; 7: Population Ageing in Slovenia and Social Support Networks of Older People; III: Population Ageing in South-Eastern Europe; 8: Demographic Ageing and its Economic Consequences in Croatia; 9: Demographic Ageing in Romania – General and Specific Consequences on the Rural Population and the Relation to International Migration; 10: Population Ageing in Bulgaria – Demographic Dynamics at the Turn of the 21st Century (Methodological Analysis and Solution); IV: Societal and Policy Implications; 11: Physical and Cognitive Functions in Older Persons in Central and Eastern Europe; 12: Implications of Population Ageing for Family Relations and Family Care; 13: Demographic Changes and Ageing Process in Central and Eastern Europe: How Sustainable are the Demographic Trends for the Future?; 14: Conclusions 1 : Future Prospects and Policy Implications for the Central and Eastern European Ageing Societies in Transition 2

About the Author :
Andreas Hoff, Zittau-Goerlitz is a Professor of Social Gerontology, Zittau-Goerlitz University of Applied Sciences, Germany and Research Affiliate, Oxford Institute of Ageing, University of Oxford, UK

Review :
'These observations are hardly novel for demographers, but bringing them together in a comprehensive manner is very useful. Even those who are well informed about the developments in the region can benefit from the observations and insights provided by the authors... the book makes at least two important contributions. First, it summarizes state-of-the- art research on demographic ageing in Eastern Europe. Second, by mapping out the gaps, obstacles, and potential paths to explore it serves as a useful guide for future comparative research on the region. The book should also attract the attention of policymakers, whose responsibility for successfully coping with the challenges of demographic ageing is stated plainly. The fact that the volume draws on the expertise of researchers who obviously have intimate knowledge of their societies makes the book all the more valuable.' Population Studies 'The book should be considered particularly interesting for demographers as well as researchers of social, political and economic transformation of Central and Eastern European countries. It stimulates the further deepening of research from comparative and regional perspectives. It will also be useful for those involved in the analysis of changes in family relations and family care.' International Journal of Ageing and Later Life