Patrick Donders LLM’s Post

In 2022, France ranked 23rd in the world in our Healthy Ageing and Prevention Index (https://lnkd.in/dj54diAQ). It performs well on life expectancy, income, environment, and happiness. But when it comes to workspan (broadly the number of years people work as adults) the picture changes dramatically. France ranks 114th globally, with an average workspan of just 28.09 years. That’s a modest improvement from 2019 (27.64 years, ranked 119th), but still well below the UK average of 31.1 years. Workspan is a key driver of economic resilience in ageing societies. And in France, reform is hard. Fragmented politics, weak government majorities, and the rise of both far-right and far-left parties make consensus elusive. Fiscal pressures from ageing, austerity, and unpopular spending cuts add to the challenge - especially when pension age increases spark widespread unrest. As John Burn-Murdoch recently noted, French pensioners now have higher incomes than working-age adults. That’s economically troubling, especially given the “retirement consumption puzzle”: older people tend to underconsume relative to their wealth, in France as in the UK. France isn’t alone. Italy faces similar demographic headwinds. Despite a long-lived population, Italy performs even worse on workspan. Its large informal economy (around 31% of GDP) likely hides higher levels of work though - but also complicates policy responses. France may be in better health than the UK. It has lower obesity rates, stronger access to core health services, and seemingly better outcomes for major conditions like heart attacks and strokes. France must find a way to extend workspan, tackle intergenerational wealth inequality, and boost productivity. But with political paralysis, it’s hard to see how. Without reform, economic growth will slow - and France’s position may begin to slide. The UK faces a different, but equally urgent challenge. We also need to extend workspan - ideally to closer to 34 years - but poor health is a major barrier. That means serious investment in prevention and health improvement. Right now, we have a government with a majority. It’s a majority they need to use. Without bravery - and a willingness to take unpopular decisions - we risk our own kind of paralysis. Not unlike France. International Longevity Centre - UK Arunima H. Ben Franklin

Across Europe, people are living longer - and working longer. The OECD now projects that by 2060, retirement age in the EU will near 67, with some countries pushing even further. Denmark leads the way with a shocking retirement age of 74, the highest in Europe. Italy and Estonia are close behind at 71, while the Netherlands, Sweden, and Cyprus target 70. Turkey, where women can still retire at 49, will see the steepest hikes: +14 years for women, +13 for men. In 2022, the EU average was 64.7 for men and 63.8 for women. Austria and Poland still let women retire at 60-though gender gaps like that will shrink fast. Behind it all: aging populations, budget pressure-and pension systems that often replace less than 50% of income, raising fears of growing old-age poverty.

In a recently published report by Age UK 'Late Mover - How the shortage of suitable housing affects our ageing population', where they polled 4200 older people, it is good to see a specific section related to the impact of housing on women in later life. The report highlights a number of issues around housing affordability, condition and availability but also impact on different groups such as how a larger share of women, than men, express concerns about different aspects of their housing such as affordability and accessibility. This is linked to the inequity over women’s lower lifetime earnings, smaller pension savings, and longer life expectancy. Among older women (aged 66+), divorced women are especially worried about housing affordability (48%), while widowed women are more concerned about the condition of their homes. At WiRL (Women in Retirement Living) we are focussed on developing an equitable later living and retirement sector and understanding the impact women can have on the understanding and desire to change things is a key ‘super power’ many of our members hold. To that end, we are also looking at and addressing issues such as women led design on later living, the impact of climate change on women and the correlation to the lower incomes, savings and pensions and what we can do to reduce the impact amongst others. In the meantime, we would recommend reading the Age UK report as it has some great intel.

Ireland’s Demographic Transition: A Call to Action - a must read from Nat O'Connor UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice UCD Ageing Network Nat's new working paper for PublicPolicy.ie provides thoughtful critical analysis on our ageing population and outlines the opportunities this provides, but also challenges which we must plan for. 'Success brings its own challenges. As more people live into advanced older age, many of them will rely on publicly funded services to uphold their rights and dignity, and to meet their essential needs. Not least, the cost of funding pensions, healthcare and care at home will all increase significantly in the coming decades, putting ever greater focus on efficiency and value for money in public spending...The speed of this demographic transition will be faster than anything experienced by comparator countries. Ireland must acknowledge this reality and plan accordingly. A national strategy is required to prepare public bodies and wider society for this demographic transition. Human rights and equality should be front and centre in how we approach the issue of ageing, so that older persons can continue to live fulfilling lives in dignity.'

United Nations projections indicate that between 2025 and 2075, the population aged 65 and over will more than double, rising from approximately 856 million in 2025 to about 2.13 billion in 2075. By then, this group will represent roughly 20% of the global population, with a projected total of ~10.24 billion. This dramatic shift highlights the urgency of preparing for an ageing world — in healthcare, pensions, labour markets, housing, and beyond — and marks the 65+ cohort as one of the fastest-growing age brackets in the coming decades. Why this matters: → Rising longevity means greater demand for age-friendly infrastructure such as health care systems, long-term care, housing, and mobility. → The ageing population presents both challenges (social, economic, fiscal) and opportunities: the “longevity economy” – goods, services, innovations designed for older adults – is set to grow substantially. → Investing now in healthy ageing, preventive care, and age-inclusive policies helps to ensure a healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable world. #HealthyLifeExpectancy #LongevityLeadership #HealthyAgeing #PublicHealth #PreventiveHealthcare #DataDrivenInsights

𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗱 Population aging is often seen as a burden on economic growth, but Project Syndicate’s analysis argues it can become a source of renewal. Longer lifespans, healthier aging, and higher education levels among older adults can boost productivity, innovation, and resilience, creating what the author calls a “longevity dividend.” Aging populations already drive growth in many advanced economies. In the EU, more than 90% of job growth in the past decade came from workers over 50, and Japan’s older workforce now contributes significantly to GDP. The challenge lies in modernizing systems built for younger populations. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗱:  • 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲: Focus on prevention, chronic disease management, and digital health.  • 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: Support mid-career and late-career reskilling.  • 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀: Enable flexible work, phased retirement, and age-inclusive policies.  • 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀: Adapt pensions and savings models for longer, more varied careers. The report also notes that aging affects monetary policy, saving patterns, and global influence. Nations that invest in health, education, and adaptable labor systems will strengthen both their economies and social cohesion as they enter the age of longevity. https://lnkd.in/ew3UtyKJ

𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 Population aging is often seen as a challenge, yet it holds enormous potential for renewal and economic strength. Investing in health, lifelong learning, and age-inclusive systems can unlock what experts call the “longevity dividend.” At Aramis Advisors, we view longevity not as a constraint but as a catalyst for innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth. 👉 Read the full post via Aramis Advisors. https://lnkd.in/e-ddseBw

42 countries are shrinking in 2025. Europe leads the race to decline. For decades, population growth signaled prosperity. Now, decline is the new reality-at scale, and with consequences that reach far beyond demographics. Here’s what the numbers reveal: → 42 countries and territories are contracting, with the steepest drops in Eastern Europe: Kosovo (−9.69%), Moldova (−2.83%), North Macedonia (−1.97%). → Emigration is the engine: talent flows to higher wages and deeper job markets in Western Europe, accelerated by EU labor mobility and wage gaps. → Low fertility and ageing compound the trend. Fewer births, delayed family formation, and high living costs mean fewer people of childbearing age-and less room to rebound. → Large economies now join the list. Germany, Japan, China, and Italy show small percentage dips, but on a vast base, the impact on growth, labor, savings, and innovation is outsized. Why does this matter for business and policy? → Labor: Tighter talent pools drive up hiring costs and push firms toward automation and new training strategies. → Demand: Ageing populations shift spending toward healthcare, savings, and services, changing the shape of entire markets. → Public finance: Fewer workers must support rising pension and health bills-raising the stakes for reform. → Competitiveness: Countries that align migration, skills, and family policy can gain a strategic edge. What are governments doing? Attempts range from Japan’s Children & Families Agency to China’s childcare subsidies. But so far, no single solution works. Durable progress means bundling childcare, housing, work-family balance, and career security. The bottom line: Decline is not destiny. Places that align policy, migration, and innovation can still shape their future. How do you see population decline reshaping Europe’s economic landscape?

Super Changes, LISTO Boost & Closing the Gender Gap Some real progress for Australia’s super system, and it’s great news for women and lower-income earners. ✅ Super added to Paid Parental Leave (from July 2025) For the first time, super contributions will be included with Commonwealth Paid Parental Leave. This targets the “super gap” when parents—usually women—take time out for caring. ✅ LISTO expansion (proposed for 2027) The Low-Income Super Tax Offset will jump from a $37,000 to a $45,000 income threshold, and from $500 to $810 max per year. Over 1.3 million more Australians—about 60% of them women—will benefit. 🔍 Why does this matter? Despite improvement, women retire with 21–33% less super than men. New data shows the average gap is close to $50,000—often meaning reliance on the age pension or financial stress. These reforms won’t close the gap overnight, but every dollar earned now benefits from compounding—making a real difference over time. References: Australian Treasury, SMC Australia, Status of Women Report Card 2025, The Guardian (15 Oct 2025) . . . . . General Advice: This is general information only and doesn’t consider your circumstances. Get professional advice before acting.

20 years ago, analysts predicted that by 2025, women would own the majority of the UK’s wealth. The opposite has happened. Today, women’s share of UK personal wealth has fallen to 45% (per ONS data) - with the average woman holding £78,000 less than the average man. Why? The barriers are depressingly familiar: → A 13% gender pay gap (even wider for mothers). → A pension gap of 48% - with men aged 60-69 holding £150k more on average than women of the same age. → Career breaks, caring responsibilities, and part-time work exclude many women from auto-enrolment into pensions. → Lower levels of investment confidence - 52% of women have never held an investment outside their workplace pension. The story is not about women working less hard or performing less well. Girls still outperform boys at GCSEs. Women are founding businesses in record numbers. But our systems - childcare, pensions, investment, taxation… are still stacked against them. That’s why I’m incredibly proud of the work I do with initiatives like the Invest in Women Taskforce Without systemic change, women will continue to be wealth underachievers relative to their talent, contribution, and potential. We’ve known the problem for decades. And the numbers tell us: optimism alone won’t close the gap, action will.