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Introduction
Like most west European countries,
Belgium faces major changes in terms of the age structure of its population,
mainly owing to the decline in the birth rate and the considerable increase
in life expectancy. In the future, a smaller active percentage of the
population will have to fund social benefits for a growing number of
inactive persons. Apart from pensions, there will be a particularly large
increase in health care costs.
Owing to the economic crisis, the
policies pursued in 2009 and 2010 focused primarily on the short-term
issues. However, the sustainability of public finances in the medium and
long term is very important, and presents a considerable challenge for the
future. The issue of population ageing must be at the centre of the
priorities set by the different levels of power. The procedure provided for
by the Law of 5 September 2001 guaranteeing a continuous reduction in the
public debt and the creation of an Ageing Fund offers a safeguard here. It
in fact provides that the Study Committee on Ageing will publish an annual
estimate of the cost of population ageing, and that the government will
explain its policy on the subject.
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