In 2024, Spain has reached a new record in its aging index, reaching 142.3%. This alarming data indicates that there are 142 people over 64 years old for every 100 under 16, representing an increase of 5 percentage points compared to the previous year, when the index was 137.3%. This growth is the most significant recorded in the historical series and has been studied by the Vulnerability and Employment Observatory of the Adecco Foundation, highlighting growing concern about how this demographic phenomenon impacts the labor market and the need to value senior talent.
The most affected autonomous communities include Asturias, where the aging index is 257.2%, followed by Galicia (224.3%) and Castilla y León (223.8%). These regions have more than double the number of people over 64 years old compared to the population under 16. In contrast, Ceuta (69%), Melilla (56%), and Murcia (98%) are the only areas that still maintain percentages below 100%, suggesting a higher proportion of young population.
This increase in the aging population is attributable to a series of factors, including low birth rate and a constant increase in life expectancy, which reached 83.2 years in 2023. Since the year 2000, when Spain was classified for the first time as an aging country, the index has been on the rise, being 29.7% higher than a decade ago (112.6% in 2014) as of today.
Francisco Mesonero, general director of the Adecco Foundation, comments that this increase in aging reveals the urgency of considering senior talent as a crucial element for business competitiveness. However, there are still barriers in selection processes that hinder the access of these professionals to the labor market, a contradictory aspect in a context where there is a shortage of workers.
Mesonero also emphasizes the importance of implementing continuous training strategies that allow companies to maximize the potential of their more experienced employees. He highlights that it is essential not to exclude professionals over 50 years old or those who have been long-term unemployed or have disabilities. Additionally, he suggests that activating the migrant population could be part of the solution to the labor shortage.
In the face of this unstoppable increase in aging, it is essential to rethink employment policies and promote a corporate culture that values age diversity. Investing in senior talent is not only a social necessity, but also crucial for ensuring the competitiveness and sustainability of the socio-economic system in Spain.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
