Tackling the challenges of population ageing in the Slovak Republic
Slovakia’s population is ageing rapidly, with the share of the working-age population
expected to shrink by about a fifth in the next 30 years. Ageing-related costs are
projected to increase much more strongly than in other EU countries and ageing will
put pressure on potential growth and living standards. To prepare for an ageing society,
pension, health and long-term care, as well as labour market reforms are needed to
extend working lives, improve the health of the ageing population, and enhance the
efficiency of public spending. Linking the retirement age to life expectancy and tightening
early retirement pathways notably for mothers and disability pensioners is important
to extend working lives and improve pension sustainability. Health outcome are lagging
behind other OECD countries largely due to high preventable mortality, especially
among disadvantaged groups, highlighting the importance of a national strategy to
reduce preventable mortality, as well as targeted approaches. Measures are also needed
to improve the efficiency of health and long-term care spending, notably through reforming
the network of hospitals, expanding central procurement of pharmaceuticals, and expanding
the supply of in-home long-term care services. Higher employment of older workers
is hampered by a range of labour market barriers, including fewer training opportunities,
higher job strain, and a lack of flexible working arrangements. Labour participation
of mothers with young children is also low, reflecting excessively long parental leave,
low financial work incentives, and a lack of childcare facilities.
Published on February 22, 2022
In series:OECD Economics Department Working Papersview more titles