Demographic aging is not merely an issue concerning the age indicators of a population, but a complex reality with strong social, spatial and economic implications. This was one of the key messages of the speech by Alexandra Tragaki, Professor of Demography at Harokopio University, in the section “Demographic issue and dynamics of today’s Greek society” of the conference “Low Birth Rate & Family: Composing Solutions For The Demographic Problem”.
The conference was organized by the Media2day Group, on the initiative of Euro2day.gr, Iatronet.gr and Mama365.gr and under the auspices of the Region of Attica.
Ms. Tragaki initially focused on the different intensity with which aging is developing in the individual regions of the country. As she explained, not all regions follow the same demographic path, since some age because their residents live longer, others because fewer children are born, and others because they lose their younger residents. “Not all regions age in the same way, nor at the same speed, nor for the same reasons”, she characteristically noted.
This picture becomes even more complex when aging is combined with population shrinkage and the abandonment of the countryside. According to the professor, the desertification of large parts of the country does not simply concern the reduction in the number of residents, but creates a chain of effects that impacts the economy, society, the environment and the functioning of local communities themselves.
“Addressing the desertification of the countryside is necessary”, she stressed, clarifying, however, that this does not mean that an attempt should be made to revive all settlements as they were decades ago. The problem, as she described it, lies in the consequences of uncontrolled abandonment, as population decline leads to underuse and devaluation of infrastructure, withdrawal of public services, closure of schools and shops, as well as the abolition of transport links.
Thus, a self-reinforcing mechanism is created. As services and infrastructure are reduced, areas become less attractive to their residents and especially to young people, with the result that the outflow of the population is further intensified. “That is, a vicious cycle of feedback between aging and population shrinkage is created”, she underlined.
Particular weight in her speech was also given to the relationship between place of residence and the inequalities faced by different social groups. As she mentioned, children and young people living in the regions often have fewer educational, cultural and professional opportunities. In this context, she referred to the concept of “the right to stay”, that is, the “right to remain in my place, if I do not want to leave it, provided that my place does not drive me away”.
The same inequality also appears in old age. A person’s ability to remain in their home and familiar environment as they grow older presupposes access to primary healthcare, home care, transport, suitable housing and support networks. When these services are absent, remaining in one’s place of origin becomes, according to Ms. Tragaki, a “privilege of those who have family, those who have income or access to private services”.
In her speech she also highlighted another paradox of today’s housing reality. Despite the overall population decline, housing costs do not follow a downward course everywhere. The concentration of jobs and services in urban centers drives young people toward the cities, increasing demand for housing, while the countryside loses population and with it the value of many properties declines.
“The population is decreasing, but housing costs are increasing”, she noted, describing a “double housing inequality”: on the one hand, young people pay high rents in areas where the housing supply is limited, and on the other hand, elderly residents remain in areas where the value of their land and homes is declining.
In this way, demographic aging ultimately does not concern only how many people live in an area and how much their average age increases. It concerns where they live, what services they have at their disposal, what opportunities they can claim, and how easy it is for them to remain in their place without being excluded from basic social and economic opportunities.