'Netherlands Hardest Hit by Ageing Population’
THE HAGUE, 24/08/13 - In Europe, the Netherlands, along with Luxembourg and Slovenia, will be hardest hit by the ageing of the population, The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies concludes.
An ageing population puts pressure on government spending, particularly due to rising pension costs and healthcare spending. It is estimated that assuming unchanged policy, government spending in the Netherlands will rise by over 8 percent of Gross National Product (GNP). On average in Europe, the figure is around 4 percent. The national debt will also grow and tensions could arise between generations, it predicts. The report does however see positive aspects of ageing. For example, a growth market for user-friendly ICT will emerge. |