This first Policy Brief provides a general introduction to the opportunities and challenges of an ageing population faced by the EU and the contribution that SUSTAINWELL will make in the development of policy thinking. It is primarily intended – although not exclusively – to decision makers. It includes a general introduction to the research methodologies employed within SUSTAINWELL and first results.
We are witnessing how public spending on all welfare policies and its redistributive impact is being profoundly affected. Given that the demographic transition has a cross-cutting nature which affects policies over the lifecycle, we require a framework capable of seizing the dynamics of citizens’ lives and their economic behaviour. This life cycle framework allows us to interconnect elements because individuals’ conditions at one stage of their life are often linked to events earlier in life – and many have a huge impact on well-being later in life. SUSTAINWELL is designed to arm policymakers and stakeholders with the data and insights they need to develop more sustainable policies considering the challenges and opportunities of ageing societies. We are mapping best-practice policies with a life-cycle dimension and unraveling welfare system complexities to secure positive societal and economic outcomes. In the coming months, we will deliver two more policy briefs which also be made publicly available.