What role can older workers play in sustaining economic growth and easing labour shortages? This pressing question was at the heart of a newly published in-depth article by Pravda, where CELSI Scientific Director Martin Kahanec provides expert commentary.

How can Slovakia navigate one of the fastest demographic shifts in Europe? And what role can older workers play in sustaining economic growth and easing labour shortages? These pressing questions are at the heart of a newly published in-depth article by Pravda, where CELSI Scientific Director Martin Kahanec provides expert commentary.

In the wide-ranging analysis on demographic pressures, the labour market, and the future of pensions, Kahanec discusses Slovakia’s untapped potential in increasing employment among people aged 55 and over. While Slovakia is slightly above the EU average in employment of older workers, countries like Sweden, Germany, and even the Czech Republic surpass 75 percent.

Kahanec points out that Slovakia has a reserve of roughly ten percentage points that could help mitigate both demographic decline and the severe shortage of skilled workers. However, unlocking this potential requires meaningful improvements in working conditions, flexible forms of employment, better health care, and pension system settings that encourage longer participation in the labour market.

He also highlights one of the most serious barriers to extended working lives in Slovakia: the low healthy life expectancy, which significantly limits the ability of many seniors to remain active in the workforce.

🔗 The full Pravda article (in Slovak) featuring Martin Kahanec’s insights: https://ekonomika.pravda.sk/ludia/clanok/775781-praca-namiesto-odpocinku-na-dochodku-odbornici-posielaju-seniorov-do-roboty-ekonomika-by-to-vyrazne-pomohlo/

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