Database of publications / From Red to Gray: The "Third Transition" of Aging Populations in Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union

The countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union are experiencing a third transition, a transition that overlaps with their recent political and economic transitions. This third transition-from red to gray-is unique. Populations have been aging quite rapidly in many countries. This report examines the possible impact of this third transition. It analyzes projections and policy outlooks for a whole range of issues, from labor markets to pension policies, from health care to savings and capital markets. It concludes that although aging in the region is occurring in the context of unprecedentedly weak institutional development, countries can avoid severe economic consequences if they accelerate their economic transition and undertake longer-term policies to meet the aging challenge.

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