During the debate "Seniors 2030: Health, Safety, Respect," organized by the Regional Medical Chamber in Warsaw, experts discussed how to prepare the state and the health care system for demographic changes. The event, under the slogan: "Shared care for the elderly is a measure of the state's maturity," was held on May 7 in the Column Hall of the Warsaw School of Economics.
How to prepare Poland for the challenges of an aging population?
Published May 13, 2025 07:49
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Aging society - a challenge for Poland
Polish society is aging at a rapid pace. According to the Central Statistical Office, already in 2020 there will be more than 125 people over 65 for every 100 people aged 0-14. By comparison, in 2010 this ratio was 96. Projections indicate that by 2050 the number of people aged 60+ could rise to about 40 percent of the population, and the number of people aged 80+ - from the current 4.5 percent to more than 8 percent.
Increasing life expectancy is also a challenge. By 2050, life expectancy in Poland is expected to be about 78 years for men and 85 years for women. This means the need for long-term medical and social care on an unprecedented scale.
Should every doctor be a geriatrician?
The debate raised the question of whether every doctor should have basic geriatric competence. There is currently a shortage of specialists in this field in Poland, with 560 geriatricians active in 2023, which means 0.6 doctors per 10,000 people aged 60+. According to the Polish Geriatrics Society, staffing needs are four times greater.
Senior Policy Minister Marzena Okła-Drewnowicz and Prof. Tomasz Targowski, national consultant in geriatrics, stressed the need for systemic support for the elderly in both health and social care.
Senior policy - a shared responsibility
The debate was also an opportunity to exchange opinions on the future of senior citizen policy in Poland. Prof. Piotr Błędowski of the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) drew attention to the need for social dialogue and cooperation between various circles. In his opinion, only joint action by the state, local governments, families and NGOs can effectively respond to the needs of an aging society.
Future prospects
During the event, candidates for the Office of the President of the Republic of Poland - Maciej Maciak and Marek Woch - presented their visions of senior citizen policy. Rafał Trzaskowski's staff also sent their proposals. The candidates stressed the importance of providing seniors with decent living conditions and the availability of health care.
In the end, the conclusion of the debate was clear - the aging of the population is a challenge that requires a strategic approach and concerted action at various levels - from government policy to local initiatives to support seniors.
Source: OIL Warsaw
