ABSTRACT
Compared to other world regions, the region under the auspices of the UN Economic Commission for Europe is undoubtedly the most diversified and most heterogeneous one. It over 56 countries in Europe, North America, and Asia reflecting a great variety in political and socio-economic contexts as well as in demographic trends and in coping capacities of the countries involved to implement policies designed to address the challenges of population ageing. The size of the older population and the time spent in retirement has been creating considerable pressures on sustainability of public pensions throughout the region. The UN-European region is shrinking from 34% of the world population in 1950 to the expected 17% in 2050. The population growth in North America is parallel to that of neighbouring Mexico and the hinterland of South America, representing a stark contrast to population decline in Southern Europe vis-a-vis the population multiplication in neighbouring North Africa.
