Population

Across the UNECE region, population ageing is often framed as a burden or crisis, while older persons are portrayed as frail or dependent – despite longer, healthier and more diverse lives and their continued contributions to society. These overlapping narratives, about ageing as a demographic process and about older persons as individuals, misrepresent realities, reinforce ageism, and can limit support for forward-looking policies that promote healthy and active ageing across the life course. This policy brief shows how Governments and other stakeholders can shift towards more balanced, evidence-based and age-inclusive narratives that recognize population ageing as a societal achievement and older persons as diverse, active members of society. This can be achieved by focusing on setting a clear vision, harmonizing policies, involving stakeholders, featuring real-life stories, and communicating consistently across channels.

The Policy Brief is available here.

MIPAA+25: Fifth review and appraisal of MIPAA/RIS

The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), adopted at the Second World Assembly on Ageing in April 2002, set a comprehensive and bold agenda for ageing-related policies in the 21st century. With the UNECE Regional Implementation Strategy (RIS) for MIPAA adopted the same year, countries drew a roadmap for creating a society for all ages in the region.

Every five years, progress towards implementing the commitments of MIPAA/RIS is reviewed and appraised at national, regional and global level. The fifth review and appraisal of MIPAA/RIS takes place in 2026–2028. During 2026, member States will undertake national reviews that assess progress towards the goals of the 2022 Rome Ministerial Declaration. In 2027, the regional review will culminate with the UNECE Ministerial Conference on Ageing. The Commission for Social Development will undertake a global review in 2028.

National Reporting Guidelines in English, French, and Russian and additional information available here. 

Photo credit: alex.pin/stock.adobe.com

The recently launched UNECE Ageing Policies Database presents policy measures that countries across Europe, North America, and Asia have developed to improve the lives of older people, harness the opportunities of longevity and address the challenges of population ageing. A tool for knowledge sharing, peer learning and monitoring of policy developments over time, the database showcases government actions across a broad range of thematic areas, including combating ageism and elder abuse, promoting healthy ageing, lifelong learning, and participation in social and economic life. Searchable by country, policy theme or policy instrument, the database provides open and easy access to a wealth of policy actions. The database will be updated regularly to include the most recent policy developments in the region. 

Access the database here