Κοινωνικός αποκλεισμός μεταξύ των μεγαλύτερων σε ηλικία ατόμων στην Ευρώπη: μια διεθνής σύγκριση

The ageing population is one of the very few undeniable contemporary trends in the old continent. During the last decades in almost all European countries birth and mortality rates are falling in parallel producing a new demographic mix; a mix which challenge many aspects of the current economic and social policy in every country. At the same time the present and future socioeconomic reality of the older people appears to be in constant danger. Persistent financial constraints, pension and health care reforms seem to have serious impact on their lives. Social exclusion rates are growing again across Europe, especially as concerns the aged population. But is this a common trend for the elderly? Is social exclusion a universal characteristic of old age? This paper attempts to address the issue based on welfare state economics theory as well as on new data by the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. The available dataset of the 5th wave combines micro data on health, socioeconomic status and social networks of households & individuals aged 50 plus. The initial findings provide a comparative analysis for 15 European countries during 2013.