Advantages and Weaknesses of Indicators for the Assessment of Active Ageing Processes

  • O. S. Bilousova State Organization “Institute for Economics and Forecasting of NAS of Ukraine”
Keywords: demographic ageing, healthy and active ageing processes, Active Ageing Index, elderly, statistics of economic activity of population

Abstract

The article studies the principles for the assessment of active ageing processes as an important component in implementing the Political Strategy on Healthy and Active Longevity of the Population till 2022 and the respective Action Plan. The advantages and weaknesses of the Active Ageing Index (AAI), constructed by the UN European Economic Commission and the Directorate General of the European Commission on Employment, Social Policy and Integration, are revealed through analyzing three core objectives of active ageing and solidarity between generations: employment, social participation, and independent life. By the results of the analysis, the advantages of AAI application include: the usability for monitoring and cross-country comparisons; the possibility to reveal the spheres requiring improvements to assure the high quality life. The weaknesses are as follows: the majority of indicators are based on assumptions; the indicators of old people’s employment do not account for age-specific limitations on the employment in some professions etc. It is argued that the weaknesses of the existing indices can be addressed by clarifying the indicators’ definitions and implementing additional recommendations for interviewing the elderly.            

An analysis of AAI in countries of East Europe and Central Asia shows that its average level is 66. Belarus, Turkey and Georgia are the only countries from the studied group with the scores corresponding with this level or exceeding it. In all the other countries AAI is lower than the average. The assessment for Ukraine by the adopted methodology is not possible due to unavailability and shortage of statistical data. 

Recommendations on constructing the set of indicators for the assessment of active ageing processes in Ukraine are elaborated, including the four targeted domains: “Employment – contribution of the elderly”; “Social participation – contribution of the elderly through unpaid activities”; “Independent, healthy and secure life”; “Opportunities and favorable environment for active ageing”. The need for improving the statistical data collection is substantiated. The conclusion is made that AAI is an important indicator of the quality of life of the elderly population and an indicator of the effectiveness of social reforms, health care reforms etc. The AAI components can be taken in consideration in constructing the revenue and expenditure profiles of the public budget and local budgets.  

Further studies in this field should be focused on quantifying the link between active ageing and national economy growth.

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Abstract views: 476
PDF Downloads: 441
Published
2018-09-04
How to Cite
Bilousova, O. S. (2018). Advantages and Weaknesses of Indicators for the Assessment of Active Ageing Processes. Statistics of Ukraine, 82(3), 26-39. https://doi.org/10.31767/su.3(82)2018.03.03