Aging Romania

Romania’s population is getting older with each generation. Economic instability and lack of job prospects have decreased the country’s birthrate and at the same time people simply live longer than they used to 100 or even 50 years ago. Romania’s aging population is a topic of public discussion but only in terms of money. Pension fund deficits are making news headlines at least twice a year within governmental budget decisions. Public policies regarding the elderly though are seldom thought of, let alone planned and approved by public authorities. Is longevity a gift in Romania or rather a commodity that expires if people’s money run out?