Inaugural lecture Viola Angelini: Growing older in good wealth and health

Population ageing is the most prominent demographic trend of this century. This trend is the result of a decline in fertility and increased longevity in all developed countries. To put it simply, we are living longer, and our older population is growing at an unprecedented rate. However, the fact that life expectancy is rising does not necessarily imply that we are living longer in good financial, physical, and mental health.

Indeed, while life expectancy has increased, healthy life expectancy, which is the number of years that a person can expect to live in good health, has not increased at the same pace. There are also significant health inequalities both across and within countries. From a financial point of view, the rise in life expectancy also implies an increase in the number of years during which individuals must rely on their pension benefits. In this respect, there is a growing concern about whether people have sufficient financial resources to support their retirement, especially for vulnerable groups of the population. In 2019, in Europe, one out of seven pensioners was at risk of poverty.

From both an academic and a policy perspective, the question therefore is how we can ensure that the extended lifespan is accompanied by good financial, physical, and mental health for all. During her inaugural lecture, Viola Angelini will offer insights on growing older in good wealth and health, from her perspective and expertise in the Economics of Household Behaviour, but also drawing on her interdisciplinary collaborations.

More information:

Viola Angelini’s inaugural lecture will take place on Friday 8 December 2023, 16:15 - 17:00.

Last chance to register is today (1 December) via the registration form.

Livestream on 8 December 2023, see: www.rug.nl/digitale-oratie.

Questions? Please contact Viola Angelini.