Demographic Characteristics of Population Ageing in Slovakia

• Published in: Clinical social work journal / CWS 2017-01, Vol.8 (3), p.7-14
• Main Authors: Bartosovic, I., Zacharova, E., Zrubakova, K., Gazikova, E., West, D. J., Costello, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Aging; Birth rate; Cancer; Demography; Geriatrics; Gerontology; Industrialized nations; Life expectancy; Men; Mortality; Population; Womens health
• ISSN: 2222-386X; 2076-9741
• DOI: 10.22359/cswhi_8_3_01

Population aging is a global process which is particularly marked mainly in developed countries, especially in Europe. From the point of view of gerontology and geriatrics the following characteristics are typical for the current demographic trend: persistently decreasing crude birth rate; stagnancy of mortality; increasing life expectancy; changes in the age structure; growth of the group of very old people; feminization of aging; changes in demographic indices. The phenomenon of "over-mortality" of men is confirmed by the fact that 79% of all deaths in 2015 in the age category from 30 to 34 years are deceases of men. According to the OECD, the age-standardized mortality rate for cardiovascular diseases and the age-standardized mortality rate for cancer (per 100,000 population), Slovakia is the worst among the countries of OECD and other compared countries. As for the life expectancy, Slovakia is on the bottom position among the countries of the European Union. In 2014, the healthy life years at birth in Slovakia were 55.5 years in men and 54.6 years in women. At present, 14.45% of people in Slovakia are 65 years old or older. According to predictions, in 2060 every third inhabitant in Slovakia will be at least 65 years old. A very important demographic feature is also the growth of the group of "very old people", thus the so-called double aging. The "double aging" process means that more people are living longer while fewer children are born, resulting in an increase in the median age.