A person born today in Europe has a 50 per cent chance to become 100 years old, and in some countries such as Japan the probability is even higher. However, this is not an issue that only involves advanced economies. For instance, life expectancy in Africa has grown very fast and now stands at almost 65 years. As a consequence, workforces are ageing and, in many countries, also shrinking, a new challenge that labour markets have never seen so far. 

With labour force participation rates for older people being the lowest of all age groups all over the world, it becomes clear that we miss out on the opportunity to use the potential of older workers and therefore the chance to turn ageing into an opportunity for societies. Low participation rates are a particular issue for women, adding in many cases to growing old age poverty amongst this group.

In order to effectively respond to this demographic transition, it is first of all important to understand how this affects economic growth, labour markets, specific sectors (such as agriculture and the care sector, among others) and social security systems. Secondly, it is key to highlight and understand what is needed to turn ageing into opportunities for societies.

This course, organized by the Employment Policy and Analysis Programme of the ITCILO in collaboration with the Employment Policy Department of the ILO, will analyse both the macro and micro aspects of ageing trends and will provide participants with insights on how to analyse the trend and its implications for societies and what type of policies are needed to support inclusive societies that take into account the need for intergenerational justice linked to labour markets, workplaces and societies as a whole. In doing so, the course will draw on the latest ILO research and countries' experiences, with a view to raising awareness among policy makers, social partners and the general public on the issues related to ageing workforces within ageing societies.

This course is designed to help participants interpret global ageing trends and develop the tools to respond strategically. Led by senior ILO experts, it combines research-based insights with peer learning to equip participants to turn demographic shifts into policy opportunities.

By the end of the course, participants will:

• Become familiar with relevant indicators and current trends of ageing workforces and societies at global, country and sectoral levels;
• Acknowledge the challenges and opportunities arising from ageing societies;
• Analyse how employment and labour market policies can respond to the challenges brought by an ageing workforce;
• Become aware of the biases and perceptions linked to ageism in societies and workplaces;
• Become familiar with the concept of intergenerational solidarity and its importance in supporting future societies and labour markets.

This course is also a two-way learning platform: participants will contribute to ongoing ILO research by sharing experiences and ideas throughout the programme.

The course is designed for professionals working in the field of employment and labour market policies, including:

• Government officials;
• Representatives of workers' and employers' organizations;
• International organizations and development agencies;
• Private sector entities;
• Research and higher education institutions;
• Civil society organizations;
• Individual practitioners and consultants working on the issue.