Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the implementation, results and overall assessment of the 2012 European year for active ageing and solidarity between generations

Rising life expectancy combined with low birth rates will result in a considerable ageing of Europe's population. The fact that ageing is first of all a major achievement, in particular as it reflects successes in reducing mortality, and the potentials of a growing number of fit and healthy older people tend to be overlooked. Instead, this is often perceived as a threat to the dynamism of the economy and the sustainability of Europe's highly developed welfare systems.

In this context, the Commission had proposed, in September 2010, to designate the year 2012 as the European Year for Active Ageing. It stressed that the preservation of solidarity between generations will in particular depend on ensuring that the baby-boom cohorts stay longer in the labour market and remain healthy, active and autonomous as long as possible. The Council and the European Parliament adopted the decision on this European Year in September 2011, adding 'solidarity between generations' to its title.

In accordance with the Decision establishing the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations (hereafter the ‘EY2012’ or ‘the Year’), this report reviews the implementation, results and overall achievements of the Year, building on the conclusions of an external evaluation.

• Primary Source

EUR-Lex: COM(2014)562: Follow the progress of this report through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2014:562:FIN

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