Policy Responses of Developed Countries to Population Ageing: Case Studies of Australia, Germany and Sweden

Abstract

◈ 노인복지정책의 수행체계 및 내용의 특성에 기초한 복지국가체제의 재유형화 ◈ 복지국가체계별 대표 국가의 고령화 대응전략 ◈ 대표국가의 영역별 정책 현황 분석 ◈ 복지유형별 고령화에 대한 대응전략 검토, 특히 고령화로 인한 복지욕구 증대와 재정부담 증가, 재정위기 등에서의 대응방식 검토를 통한 정책적 시사점 도출

As social and policy concerns on the aging population increase in Korea, it would be worthwhile to examine policy changes that some of the advanced countries have made in response to population ageing. This study closely reviews the policy responses of Australia, Germany and Sweden, each of which represents in turn the liberal, conservative and socio-democratic welfare regimes. Based on literature review, data gathering, and interviews with policy makers, NGO members, scholars, and senior citizens during business trip to each country, recent development and policy issues regarding ageing in each country are reviewed and analyzed. First of all, demographic ageing, economic situation, welfare policy direction, and public spending on welfare are reviewed, because policy responses to ageing could be influenced by these factors. Three main areas of policy are reviewed: income security and poverty prevention; health and care services for the frail elderly; and social support for active social participation, including labor force participation. Because current policy measures are path-dependent, brief history of the development of each policy and debates and issues regarding competing measures are reviewed. In addition, not only profiles of each policies but also living profiles of older persons are presented. Finally, based on these review, this study suggests policy implications for Korea.