Population aging and the affluent society: the case of the Netherlands

Developed countries are currently in an unprecedented transition to a new era with ageing populations. Ageing will result in a smaller proportion of the population being employed in the decades after 2010/2020. Changing demography, fewer workers and more retirees give rise to much concern about the fiscal sustainability of public pension schemes, healthcare systems and other social services. As a result, pension reform is under discussion in all developed countries. Under the plausible assumption that 1.7 per cent yearly growth in per worker production can be realized in the coming two decades... Mehr ...