Population ageing, usually defined as a shift of population age composition towards the older ages, is a consequence of lasting decreases in fertility and increases in life expectancy. The population size and its structure impact many parts of the socio-economic, environmental and political systems, thus a graying population is of particular public interest. WIC studies question conventional measures of aging and suggest considering rather physical and cognitive functioning or remaining life expectancy than relaying on chronological age only. Furthermore we investigate the challenges and opportunities from economical and societal perspectives to prepare for old-age societies. Topics such as explaining and projecting trajectories of physical and cognitive functioning as well as trends in public finances are on the WIC research agenda.
- Rethinking measures of aging on micro and macro level
- Investigating population’s health over time and across countries
- Exploring physical and cognitive functioning of older adults
- Sustainability of public finances and current health care policies