This Implementation Dialogue will focus on the older people pillar of the Demography Toolbox.
During the dialogue, Commissioner Šuica will seek specific feedback from stakeholders on the status of implementation of some of the initiatives under this pillar (i.e. in particular long-term care and non-discriminations). In addition the dialogue will seek contributions and feedback on the European transition to a longevity society and economy. The main aim is to assess progress towards existing policy objectives and identify ways to improve, facilitate and accelerate implementation and simplification.
The insights gained through this comprehensive dialogue will feed into the implementation of the Toolbox and could provide indications on other eventual lines of work to be explored within the Union’s competences.
Context
Europe is undergoing a major demographic transformation. Such demographic change has a profound impact on everyday life and requires holistic and integrated solutions. Europeans are living longer and healthier lives, therefore all our policies need to be forward-looking and support the shift from an ageing to a longevity society.
The June 2023 European Council conclusions called on the Commission to put forward a toolbox to support Member States in addressing demographic challenges and their impact on Europe’s competitive edge. Following this call, in October 2023, the Commission adopted the demography toolbox, which draws on experiences from across the EU and sets out a comprehensive approach to demographic change.
It is structured around 4 pillars: supporting parents by better reconciling family aspirations and paid work, notably by ensuring access to quality childcare and good work-life balance; supporting and empowering younger generations to thrive, develop their skills, facilitate their access to the labour market and to affordable housing; empowering older generations and sustaining their welfare, through reforms combined with appropriate labour market and workplace policies; and where necessary, addressing labour shortages through managed legal migration, in full complementarity to harnessing talents from within the EU.
The toolbox includes a series of policy instruments that can support Member States in mitigating the impacts of demographic change.
- population statistics
- Tuesday 18 November 2025, 14:00 - 16:00 (CET)
- Bruxelles, Belgium
Programme
- 18 Nov 2025, 14:00 - 14:15 (CET)Welcome by Commissioner Šuica
The Commissioner will open the discussion and set the scene. Each thematic session will last 30 minutes allowing for an interactive discussion with the stakeholders.
- 14:15 - 14:45 (CET)Session 1: Demographic change and Long-Term Care
- 14:45 - 15:15 (CET)Session 2: Age equality and addresing ageism in an ageing society
- 15:15 - 15:45 (CET)Session 3: Europe’s transition to a longevity economy and society
- 15:45 - 16:00 (CET)Conclusions by Commissioner Šuica
Practical information
- When
- Tuesday 18 November 2025, 14:00 - 16:00 (CET)
- Where
- Berlaymont BuildingRue de la Loi 200, 1049 Bruxelles, Belgium
- Languages
- English
Description
The Implementation Dialogue on demography will provide participants with an opportunity to share their views with Commissioner Šuica on how the older-persons pillar of the Demography Toolbox is being translated into concrete actions in Member States and regions. The discussion will cover three interconnected themes:
Long-term care —Securing access to high-quality, person-centred, affordable and sustainable long-term care services for older Europeans; supporting the care workforce; enabling innovations and technology-enabled care; ensuring that reforms contribute to dignity, autonomy and inclusion of older persons.
Ageism and discrimination on the ground of age — Addressing age-based discrimination in the workplace, promoting longer and healthier working lives, and fostering inclusive labour markets that value experience and intergenerational cooperation. Focus on the work of the High-Level Group on Non-discrimination, Equality and Diversity.
Longevity economy – Europe’s transition to a longevity society and economy. The longevity economy emerges as a transformative concept which acknowledges not just ageing, but a significant shift in life length, compelling us to exploit the flexibility and capabilities of people of old age. This new economy is not just about living longer: it is about ensuring that these extended years are healthier, productive and fulfilling.
The objective of the dialogue is to gather participants’ views on what is needed to make demographic initiatives more effective and how the EU can help Member States. We expect to get insights on how to tackle the outstanding issues and how to strengthen the relevant policies that we already have in place.
The main questions for discussion will be as follows:
- How the participants assess the implementation of the Council recommendations on access of long-term care? What are the challenges at the level of Member States? What is still missing to ensure long-term care for all?
- What measures have Member States adopted on age equality? What measures have been adopted by Member States to address ageism? Are there any good practices at Member State level on addressing ageism that could be shared with other Member States?
- What policy measures and initiatives have been taken by Member States on longevity society and economy? For example, what steps can be adopted to facilitate longer working lives?
Summary conclusions will be published in the Implementation Dialogues website.