1. Population Challenges and Policy Responses Ms. Ursula Haubner, Secretary of State Federal Ministry for Social Security, Generations and Consumer Protection Geneva, January 12, 2004 European Population Forum 2004

2. Dimensions of global ageing average life expectancy at birth (worldwide): average life expectancy at birth (worldwide): 1950: 46 years 2003: 66 years 2050: 76 years number of people 60+ years of age: number of people 60+ years of age: 2000: 600 million 2050: 2 billion rapid and intense growth in developing countries rapid and intense growth in developing countries

3. Dimensions of population development in ECE region concentration of population growth in Western and Central Asian countriesconcentration of population growth in Western and Central Asian countries fewer children and more older people in most European Statesfewer children and more older people in most European States rapid and intense growth in developing countriesrapid and intense growth in developing countries

4. Challenges for the economy and the labour market predicted shortage on employeespredicted shortage on employees policies need to mobilize reserves, e.g. women and older peoplepolicies need to mobilize reserves, e.g. women and older people innovative approaches are in demand (examples from Scandinavian countries + Switzerland)innovative approaches are in demand (examples from Scandinavian countries + Switzerland)

5. Challenges for income equity necessity of secure old age pensionsnecessity of secure old age pensions example: pension reforms in Austriaexample: pension reforms in Austria - - incentives for older people to work longer - - incentives for older people to work longer - - new severance pay scheme - - new severance pay scheme - - attractive retirement income provision scheme - - attractive retirement income provision scheme

6. Challenges regarding women‘s situation indirect claims of pensions  acute risk of povertyindirect claims of pensions  acute risk of poverty Austria‘s pension reform 2003:Austria‘s pension reform 2003: -- increase from 18 to 24 months of pension eligibility -- 4 years of child care qualify for pension -- new severance pay scheme for short-term employment -- possibility of low-cost pension insurance -- family hospice leave necessity of income equitynecessity of income equity

7. Challenges for fighting poverty defined goals: improve life opportunitiesimprove life opportunities prevent social marginalisationprevent social marginalisation fight poverty among those who are most affected by marginalisationfight poverty among those who are most affected by marginalisation include both affected and social initiativesinclude both affected and social initiatives

8. Challenges for intergenerational solidarity visibility of older people‘s contributionsvisibility of older people‘s contributions (passive recipients  active educational, care work) example Austria:example Austria: -- Citizens‘ Centers for Young and Old (voluntary work) -- senior-citizen managers -- families as the fulcrum of solidarity -- Federal Senior Citizens Act

9. Importance and tools of family policy family allowance („Familienbeihilfe“)family allowance („Familienbeihilfe“) tax credit for childrentax credit for children confinement benefit and temporary help allowance for self employed women („Wochengeld“, „Betriebshilfe“)confinement benefit and temporary help allowance for self employed women („Wochengeld“, „Betriebshilfe“) child-care benefit („Kinderbetreuungsgeld“)child-care benefit („Kinderbetreuungsgeld“) 1. Key family benefits (Austria) 1. Key family benefits (Austria)

10. Importance and tools of family policy child-care serviceschild-care services family-friendly work environment (parents‘ discretionary choice; family and work must not stand in each other‘s way; family and work audit; „ family skills“)family-friendly work environment (parents‘ discretionary choice; family and work must not stand in each other‘s way; family and work audit; „ family skills“) evaluation by the OECD (child care benefit)evaluation by the OECD (child care benefit) -- 78.399 births (rise by 3,6%) -- 78.399 births (rise by 3,6%) -- birth rate 1,3% higher -- birth rate 1,3% higher -- ¼ of beneficiaries go to work -- ¼ of beneficiaries go to work 2. Measures to reconcile work + family (Austria) 2. Measures to reconcile work + family (Austria)

11. Resumé and Outlook need of pronatalistic family policyneed of pronatalistic family policy establish a positive framework:establish a positive framework: -- climate of child-friendliness -- compensation for parents -- reconciliation of work and family -- fair opportunities for women -- flexible child-care facilities Migration?Migration? boost own strengths!boost own strengths!