The Czech population is ageing, just as the populations of other developed countries are ageing and will continue to age. The transformation of the age structure of society presents a challenge for society as a whole and for its values. It also requires a comprehensive approach to public policy systems and their settings so that society can continue to prosper and maintain social cohesion even in the face of significant demographic changes.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is the coordinator of ageing-related policies in the Czech Republic. Its main activities in this area include:
- developing strategic documents on ageing policy
- holding regular meetings of the Government Council for Seniors and Population Ageing and its Working Group on Seniors and Ageing Issues
- regularly awarding the Government Council’s Prize for Seniors and Population Ageing to distinguished individuals
- international cooperation in the field of preparation for ageing
Population ageing and demographic change affect all areas of human life. Preparing for an ageing society must therefore ensure not only a dignified life for today’s older people, but also the adaptation of society as a whole to demographic changes that will shape life in the decades to come. Population ageing is a phenomenon that requires a shift in our understanding of who a senior is. The ideas we have about ageing and about people beyond a certain age are often outdated and fail to reflect the fact that today’s older population is a highly heterogeneous group whose diversity will continue to grow in the future.