European policymakers’ hair is turning grey. They’re worried about Europe’s ageing population and how it will affect welfare systems and public finances: will it threaten the ability of future generations to pay for pensions and healthcare? EU member states already spend, on average, more than a quarter of their GDP on pensions, healthcare and other social welfare programmes. The big issue today is how to secure good social protection in an increasingly challenging economic and demographic context, according to the European Commission. 
(22.01.2012) ATHENS NEWS (by Kathy Tzilivakis)
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