JPI More Years Better Lives

This call aims to support policy in reducing inequality in the face of demographic change. The call seeks proposals for research which will improve our understanding of how demographic change is altering the implicit contract between generations and how policy can ensure that change reduces inequality instead of increasing it. Specifically, the Call deals with three aspects of inequality:

Income and wealth: Extending working life changes the distribution of income and wealth between generations. Income in later life is very unevenly distributed on the basis of previous employment, earnings, and the structure of different pension systems and different patterns of housing tenure. Changes in the costs of social care and the time people spend longer in retirement are affecting patterns of intergenerational inheritance.

Caring responsibilities: A high proportion of older people (particularly, but not exclusively women) undertake caring responsibilities for parents, children or partners. Caring can be emotionally rewarding, but can also seriously damage the mental and physical health of the carer, as well as diminish their employment opportunities.

Social and political participation: In many countries older people are more likely than young people to participate in formal political processes. However, their interests and concerns may still be underrepresented in political decision making. Older people are also more vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness. Their sense of identity and security can also be challenged as neighbourhoods change, becoming younger, or possibly poorer.

SSH aspects (keywords/disciplines):

sociology, economics, political science, demography