Well-being in Ageing Societies.
The Case of Germany

Clemens Tesch-Römer
German Centre of Gerontology, Berlin (Germany)International Workshop: “Well-being in Ageing Societies: Perspectives
from China, Germany and Japan”, 23-25 October 2013, BeijingGeneral Questions of the Workshop(1) Well-Being over the Life Course
How do well-being, satisfaction, and happiness change over the life
course in China, Japan, and Germany?
(2) Factors Affecting Well-Being over the Life Course
What are the individual, economic, and societal factors that affect wellbeing, satisfaction, and happiness of older adults in China, Japan, andGermany?
(3) Policies Affecting Well-Being
Which societal institutions, cultural frameworks and social policies help
to enhance the well-being, satisfaction, and happiness under conditionsof population ageing in China, Japan and Germany?
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Demographic Trends in Germany– German population grows older
Birth rates are low (below the replacement rate), life expectancy grows.
– German population declines
Despite immigration, German population is shrinking.
– German workforce grows older
There is a shift from younger and middle aged workers to older workers(50 to 64 years of age).
– Number of very old people increases
In the age group 65+, the fastest growing segment is the age group 80+.
– Regional diversity in population ageing
Population ageing is more pronounced in East-Germany and rural areas(due to lower birth rates and migration within Germany).
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Well-Being over the Life Course in Germany:High and Stable over Time
Eher geringe
Lebenszufriedenheit
100

67536

37

73

7Eher hohe
Lebenszufriedenheit
530

80
38Prozent

Mittlere
Lebenszufriedenheit

353539Life satisfaction:

44(rather) low

35

34medium

60
40(rather) high
56

57

58

66
58

5956

61

62

20040-54 55-69 70-85

40-54 55-69 70-85

40-54 55-69 70-85

1996

20022008

Page 4Tesch-Römer, Wiest Wurm 2010

Well-Being over the Life Course in Germany:
Decrease of Regional East-West Differences
Life3%satisfaction:
10080

510

6631

35

4736
41

40

Prozent

45

60(rather) low
mediumEher geringe
Lebenszufriedenheit
Mittlere
Lebenszufriedenheit

40Eher hohe
63

60

2045

53

6153

(rather)highLebenszufriedenheit

0WestEast
Alte Neue
Germany
BLBLWest
East
Alte Neue
Germany
BLBLWest
East
Alte Neue
Germany
BLBL

1996

2002

2008
Seite 5

Tesch-Römer, Wiest Wurm 2010

Well-Being over the Life Course in Germany:
Slight Increase of Educational Differences
Eher geringe
Lebenszufriedenheit
100

880

Prozent

39

Mittlere
Lebenszufriedenheit

653736

12Eher hohe
Lebenszufriedenheit

5533

33

75333
37
42

38

High
Education:
Life satisfaction:
Slight(rather) low
increase ofvery satisfied
mediumindividuals

60
40
5257

63

59

2063
51

50

58

65

0
NiedrigeMediumMittlere Hohe
Low
High
Bildung
Education

1996

1996

Niedrige
Mittlere Hohe
Low
MediumHigh
Bildung
Education

2002

2002

Niedrige
Mittlere Hohe
Low
MediumHighBildung
EducationLow(rather) highEducation:
No increaseof verysatisfied
individuals

2008

2008
Seite 6

Tesch-Römer, Wiest Wurm 2010

Factors Affecting Well-Being over the Life Course(1) Socio-Economic Factors
Educational status, income, prestige: stable, but small association(2) Social Relations
Being married, (inter-generational) family ties, and friends: stableassociation. But: social relation imply responsibilities and conflicts.
(3) Activities and Participation
Medium level of activities beneficial (implications for work?).
(4) HealthOver the life course increasing association with well-being.
(5) Personality and Coping
Personality and personal resources highly important for well-being.
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The Traditional View:
Factors Affecting Well-being over the Life Course
SES

Social Relations
Activities,
participation

WellBeing

HealthPersonality,
CopingPage 8

…With a Little Twist:
Well-being Affects Development over the Life Course
SES

Social Relations

WellBeing

Activities,
participation
HealthPersonality,
CopingPage 9Some Policy Challenges in Ageing Societies I(1) Work and Retirement Regulations in Germany
Pension reforms have led to a rising retirement age. Employment rates haveincreased in the last 20 years, most notably for older workers, but also for younger
age groups. Future challenges: Productivity and innovation with ageing workforces.
(2) Income and the German Pension SystemPension entitlements for people with long term full time employment will remain
comfortable, while for other types of occupational biographies, pension entitlements
will be considerably lower. Future challenges: Prevention of old age poverty.
(3) Health and the German Health Care System
In Germany, there is some evidence for compression of morbidity. However, thismight change in the future (e.g. because of obesity trends). Nevertheless, healthexpenditures continue to increase. Future challenges: Sustainability of health caresystem.
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Some Policy Challenges in Ageing Societies II(4) Frailty and the German Long-Term Care System
Wide acceptance of long-term care insurance in the population, but apparent
problems (e.g. benefits for people with dementia, quality of care, shortage of skilled
personnel). Future challenges: Sustainability of long-term care system andrecruitment of professionals.
(5) Family and Social Integration in Germany
Family relations are of high quality and very reliable in Germany. However, thepercentage of people without children increases in younger cohorts. Volunteering
seems to be tied to occupational opportunities (decrease in volunteering rates after
transition into retirement?). Future challenges: Supporting social integration via
networks outside the family.

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How do Policies Affect Well-Being?
(1) Effects of Policies on Well-Being
What policies affect well-being (life satisfaction, happiness, depressivesymptoms) in the population?
 Policies strengthening democracy, societal solidarity, social security.
However: Ambivalent effects of policy changes?
(2) Effects of Well-Being on Society
What are the societal consequences of well-being changes in thepopulation (e.g. what are the effects of policies which make the population
happier/unhappier)?
 Population well-being in turn affects societal cohesion and productivity.
However: Effects of purely pacifying policies?
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Thank you very much for your attention!

Well-being in Ageing Societies.
The Case of Germany
Clemens Tesch-Römer

ctr@dza.de
www.dza.de/enPage 13