This Communication presents the latest long-term economic and budgetary projections and a first take on the Commission's views on Europes ability to tackle the challenge of ageing in view of new data and the current economic developments.

Recent analysis confirms that there is a window of opportunity a period of about ten years during which labour forces will continue to increase for implementing the structural reforms needed by ageing societies. Taking no action would weaken the EU's ability to meet the future needs of an ageing population. [extract]

  

Reference: Dealing with the impact of an ageing population in the EU (2009 Ageing Report: Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, COM(2009) 180 final, 29.4.2009