Vergrijzende

Vergrijzende is the Dutch term used to describe the process by which populations, regions, or systems become older on average. It is the present participle form of vergrijzen, meaning to grow old. In Dutch-language demography and policy discourse, it is used to refer to trends such as a vergrijzende bevolking (aging population) or a vergrijzende samenleving (aging society). The term denotes a structural change in a society’s age composition rather than a single event.

Causes of vergrijzende trends include rising life expectancy and declining fertility, which together increase the share of older people. Cohort aging, particularly large birth cohorts moving into older age, also contributes. Migration can offset or amplify effects in specific countries, depending on whether younger workers are attracted or held back.

Implications of a vergrijzende demographic include higher old-age dependency ratios, greater demand for pensions and long-term care, and shifts in the labor market and housing needs. Economic growth can be affected if the workforce shrinks while public finances face higher costs. Regions may experience changes in urban planning, healthcare provisioning, and intergenerational relations.

Policy responses aim to mitigate these effects and may include pension reform, incentives for extended working lives, investment in lifelong learning, and expanded eldercare services. Immigration, family policies, and automation can also influence outcomes. Effective planning typically combines fiscal sustainability with social solidarity, ensuring support for older residents while maintaining opportunities for younger generations.

Vergrijzende trends are most pronounced in many high-income regions, particularly Europe and parts of North America, though aging is a global phenomenon with regional variation and differing rates of change dependent on fertility, mortality, and migration patterns.