The Grey Revolution: Aging and Welfare

This workshop will include poster presentations, as well as an interdisciplinary town-hall style discussion, with input from K. Ali Akkemik, an expert in the field.

Overview

Rapidly growing elderly populations is quietly changing the demographic composition of the worlds developing economies. By 2050, the world’s population aged 60 years and older is expected to total 2 billion (22%), up from 960 million (12%) today (WHO). The greying demography will radically transform economic life: the size of the labor force, the jobs the economy will require, the productivity of the workforce, which will present enormous challenges for the economic future of these countries. Policy makers only have a short time span to make critical policy decisions to prepare themselves for this transition and it is imperative that we start discussing these issues.

This workshop will discuss ongoing debates in the economics of aging, including retirement reform, increasing health care costs, how to take advantage of the skill-set of elderly, aging in less developed countries and how to guarantee well-being and financial independence in old age. The workshop will consist of an interactive poster session session formatted as a town hall meeting. It will survey and discuss existing research results, methods as well as challenges to policy implementation. We encourage researchers from all disciplines.

How to Attend

Anyone with an interest in the topic is encouraged to apply. Those interested in presenting a poster should include their working paper in their application.

Workshop participants are also invited to the INET Conference that will follow on 14-15 April, ahead of the IMF and World Bank Meetings on 16-18 April. Interested participants residing outside the DC area may request to be considered for partial travel support and/or accommodation. In your application, please attach your CV and motivation, and elaborate on how your work and your interests align with the goals of the workshop, and the partner organization.