How Fast Is Europe Getting Old? Analysis of Dynamics Applying the Spatial Shift–Share Approach

Elżbieta Antczak and Karolina Lewandowska-Gwarda
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Elżbieta Antczak: Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz, Ul. Rewolucji 1905 r. 37, 90-214 Lodz, Poland
Karolina Lewandowska-Gwarda: Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz, Ul. Rewolucji 1905 r. 37, 90-214 Lodz, Poland

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 20, 1-21

Abstract: In this article, we analyzed the dynamics of the population aging process in Europe. The study was conducted on the basis of statistical data on the number of people aged 65 and above per 1000 of the population in 32 European countries in the years 1991–2018. The analyses also took into account the structure of the population by gender in five age groups: 65–69, 70–74, 75–79, 80–84, and 85 and above. An extensive analysis of the rate of changes in the magnitude of the phenomenon was carried out, which gave an answer to the question about how quickly Europe is aging. We applied the spatial dynamic shift–share method. The spatial variant of the method allowed, among others, indicating countries where the pace of population aging in a specific age group was faster/slower than in locations neighboring the examined country. Specific regions characterized by the fastest population aging were also indicated, and shares of structural and sectoral factors of the changes were estimated. Furthermore, based on the values of local competitiveness indicators, regions were identified where the aging of the population decelerated or accelerated the phenomenon in neighboring countries in the study period.

Keywords: aging of the population; sustainable development; structural and geographical analysis; spatial relationships; spatiotemporal analysis; dynamics of changes; European countries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:20:p:5661-:d:276279

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