Never in history have people lived as long as they live today, mostly in good health. At the same time, people have fewer children than ever before and birth rates continue to fall or remain at low levels. As a result, region after region and country after country is facing an unprecedented shift in the age structure of its population. The timing and extent of ageing differs across countries, but the development is widespread.

The overarching conclusion of this report is that broad-based action is required across three main policy areas, involving governments, the social partners and civil society. First, governments should improve incentives to continue working at an older age by removing penalties to later retirement and providing more flexible work/retirement options. Second, in cooperation with the social partners, job opportunities for older workers must be enhanced by removing employer disincentives and barriers to the retention and hiring of older workers and promoting good management practices for age-diverse workplaces. Finally, the employability of older workers should be strengthened through better working conditions and training opportunities throughout working careers. This life-course approach will be crucial to avoid accumulation over time of individual disadvantages that would require costly and often ineffective interventions at a later stage.