Filenews 30 September 2021
The old-age dependency rate across the European Union has increased significantly over the last 20 years, according to data released by Eurostat, but in Cyprus the ratio of older people/ youngest remains low.
The old-age dependency ratio expresses the proportion of the number of citizens over the age of 65 compared to the number of citizens between 20 and 64 years of age.
In 2001, the index stood at 25.9%, with almost four people aged 20 to 64 for each person over 65.
As of January 1, 2020, the index had risen to 34.8%, or in other words every person over the age of 65 was accounted for by nearly three people aged 20 - 64.
In 2020, the highest indicators among older and younger people were recorded in eastern Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and Finland.
According to Eurostat's analysis, which assesses data at the level of NUTS 3 statistical regions (which usually covers regions and local authorities with a population between 150 thousand and 800 thousand people), high dependency rates are recorded in rural, mountainous or remote areas from which the youngest may have moved to study or work.
The largest index of older versus younger ones was recorded in Evritania in central Greece (78.3%), followed by Veurne in West Flanders in Belgium (64.6%) and Suhl in Thuringia, Germany (61.3%).
The lowest indicators in the EU were recorded in the overseas territories of Mayotte (6.1%) and French Guiana (11.7%) in France and Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands of Spain (16.5%).
By comparison, in Cyprus, which is considered a single region at NUTS level 3, the ratio is less than 27.5%.
Forecasts for 2050
According to Eurostat forecasts, the index is expected to increase by 2050 in all regions of the European Union, with the exception of western Saxony-Anhalt in Germany.
In the European average, the ratio of older to younger people is projected to increase from 34.8% on 1 January 2020 to 56.7% on 1 January 2050. The indicator is expected to exceed 50% in the vast majority (974 out of 1,169) NUTS 3 regions in the EU.
Cyprus is forecast, however, to remain in the category with the lowest ratio, as the index is not expected to exceed 43.3%.
