Ageing in transition: Potential influences of the framing of active ageing on the life of older people

Background Across Europe, a rapidly ageing population and a shrinking working-age group have raised concerns about the future sustainability of welfare systems. Growing numbers of older adults and a reduced labour force are expected to increase demands on long-term care and healthcare. In response, old-age policy has become a political priority, and the European Union has introduced strategies such as active ageing. This study examines the political value base of an active ageing discourse and explores how it shapes ideas about what constitutes a “good” older adult. Methods A discourse analysis inspired by the Foucauldian notion of problematization was conducted on statistical and policy-focused EU documents concerning ageing. The analysis sought to uncover how the texts describe older adults, their responsibilities, and their roles in society. Results Three central issues emerged from the analysis: societal obligations in later life, expectations of good health, and the economic foundations of active ageing. The findings show that the selected EU documents present ageing through an overarching expectation that older adults should remain active, minimise reliance on welfare services, and continue contributing to society for as long as possible. This discourse is grounded in an economic rationale that positions active older adults as essential to alleviating financial pressures associated with demographic change. As a result, productivity and independence are elevated as central qualities of later life, shaping how ageing is framed and valued within the texts. Conclusions The study demonstrates how the discourse constructs a normative ideal of active ageing that may influence how older adults perceive their roles and obligations. While promoting participation, the discourse gives limited attention to the diverse circumstances, capacities, and forms of wellbeing that characterise older adulthood. Such economically oriented framings risk narrowing understandings of ageing and overlooking broader perspectives on what constitutes a good later life.