Longevity, health, and active life

Population change is one of the defining stories of our time. Longer lives and smaller families are reshaping our societies in ways that no previous generation has experienced. These trends are often portrayed as a crisis—a “demographic winter” or an impending burden on future generations. Yet there is another way to see them. Population ageing is also a testament to human progress: we live longer, healthier, and safer lives than ever before. Demographic change is not merely a challenge to be managed, but also a success to be valued and an opportunity to be shaped. This e-book is grounded in a positive demographic perspective—a viewpoint centred on change and adaptation, echoing key recommendations from the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the European Commission. As emphasised by the Italian Association for Population Studies (AISP), positive demography does not mean overlooking the real challenges posed by population ageing, low fertility, or social inequality. Rather, it invites us to shift our gaze from fear and alarm towards understanding and action. It encourages us to view demographic transformation as a new phase in the history of our societies: not better or worse than before, but different, and rich in possibilities for renewal. In the article we can try to put attention on some key-points: 1) The Italian population is ageing rapidly. However, the portion attributable to improved survival can be managed through an appropriate and automatic adjustment of all “threshold ages” marking transitions between life stages – not only the retirement age but also, for example, the age conventionally separating youth from adulthood. 2) The most effective way to adjust these threshold ages in response to changing mortality is to maintain the constancy of life fractions at a level deemed appropriate by society. This can be achieved through simple calculations based on the current life tables, published annually by Istat. 3) The postponement of workforce retirement is already underway, albeit probably at a pace that remains too slow. Remaining in the workforce at older ages can be fulfilling, but certain conditions must be met. In addition to improving work environments and adjusting roles, greater flexibility in working hours and increased use of part-time employment should be considered. However, the necessity of such changes does not yet appear to have been fully recognised by social partners. 4) Preparation for retirement should begin well in advance. Both formal and informal training pathways that maximise individual potential and skills are feasible, yet they remain insufficiently widespread. 5) Mortality rates are declining, but significant inequalities persist. Widowhood, for example, represents an additional risk factor. Likewise, low levels of education or residence in disadvantaged areas of the country – primarily in the South – also heighten mortality risks.