The EESC has called on the European Commission and Member States to develop a new European Strategy for Older Persons, which would move away from the current perception of older people as a burden and cost to society. Instead, the strategy would tap into their social, economic and intellectual potential, which is often neglected.

In the absence of a comprehensive policy on older persons and ageing, this would be the first EU strategy to protect the rights of older people and ensure their full participation in society and the economy.

The EESC's calls were presented in an opinion adopted at its July plenary session, at which a debate was held with the Commission's Vice-President for Democracy and Demography, Dubravka Šuica, and the president of the AGE Platform Europe, Dr Heidrun Mollenkopf. The opinion had been requested by the Spanish presidency of the Council of the EU.

The strategy would help eradicate ageist views that add to discrimination against older people, which - together with gender discrimination - continues to top the list of the most common forms of discrimination in the EU, despite the fact that Europe is ageing rapidly. Eurostat estimates that by 2050, the number of people in the EU aged 75-84 will grow by 56.1%, while the number of people aged 65-74 will increase by 16.6%.

"The EESC is making a clear and unequivocal call to the Commission to draw up a European Strategy for Older People before the end of its current mandate. I believe this represents a starting point that will be far-reaching in its effects for European social and demographic policy", said the rapporteur of the opinion, Miguel Angel Cabra de Luna.

Commission Vice-President Dubravka Šuica said: "Older people are neither an expense nor a burden. They are an asset. We cannot look at demographic change in isolation. We need to observe how it interacts with megatrends like the green and digital transitions".

"Older people should not be viewed as welfare recipients, but as citizens with the same rights to a full, discrimination-free life as people of all ages. These rights must be guaranteed in all areas of life", stated Dr Mollenkopf.

Furthermore, older people possess a significant share of the wealth in many countries, with notable purchasing power. The silver economy, driven by older consumers, is projected to undergo substantial growth and is estimated to reach EUR 5.7 trillion by 2025. To address this potential, the EU needs effective strategies that take into consideration regional dynamics and the opportunities afforded by this economy. (ll)