18.04.2025 active ageing, social inclusion, well-being

Active ageing and the importance of learning in later life

Shifting demographics present one of the most significant and pressing challenges in today’s society, with the median age of the EU’s population having increased over the last decade.

Older people, defined by Eurostat as those aged 65 years or more, are projected to make up 129.8 million of the EU population by 2050, a significant increase when compared to the 90.5 million at the start of 2019.

This ageing population is rapidly transforming the structure of society, creating new challenges and pressure in services and policy-making. Some of the most affected areas include the workforce, healthcare, and pension schemes. What can adult learning and education (ALE) do in this context? Demographic change is one of the key challenges addressed in the EAEA Manifesto for Adult Learning in the 21st Century: The Power and Joy of Learning, which demonstrates how adult learning and education (ALE) can support responses to the age structure change.

Adult learning and education and active ageing

Adult learning and education (ALE) promotes active ageing and the development of a shared vision for the active participation of the EU population. Research shows that learning new things helps older people stay active and healthy, maintaining cognitive abilities. Those who continue to learn in later life have more social contact and are more likely to volunteer and work longer.

While EAEA acknowledges the importance of labour market policies, it is essential to address the mental and physical needs of the elderly independently from the labour market. EAEA advocates that measures for active ageing are crucial to accommodate the older population’s participation and continued contribution to society more proactively in a truly inclusive society, which provides quality learning opportunities for people of all ages. The elderly should also be listened to when discussing ageing to ensure a diversity of perspectives of such a heterogeneous group.

Back in 2012, EAEA published a policy paper on active ageing and the importance of providing learning opportunities for older people. Individuals often do not believe that they need to learn after a certain age or are not given the appropriate and relevant opportunities to do so. However, learning is extremely beneficial for adults, including those above 65 years old. It helps maintain mental activity, improves everyday life, and supports independence and social participation. Given the changes described, investing in lifelong learning for all people, particularly older adults, will be essential to Europe’s future. This investment should prioritise the overall learning experience and go beyond solely focusing on employability.

One of EAEA’s key recommendations to promote learning in later life is to capacitate trainers and adult educators who work with older adults with new competences, as well as foster positive attitudes and awareness among professionals and learners alike.

Developing the competences of adult educators and caregivers is exactly one of the objectives of Ageing Well – a project EAEA has been cooperating with since late 2023.

Ageing Well: Science-based habits of people who age well

For over a year, the project partnership has been working on a range of outputs to support adult educators, caregivers, and care provider representatives in promoting learning opportunities and active ageing.

The first of these outputs, the Positive Ageing Toolkit, provides clear guidelines on how to support older people in gaining appropriate competences and knowledge to enhance well-being and resilience in later life. It aims to improve the ageing process and overall quality of life for individuals aged 65 and above.

This comprehensive and empowering resource highlights the importance of physical and cognitive activity, introduces Positive Psychology practices, and offers practical tips for well-being and resilience.