Blindspots in EU Governance: Policy-Making on Demographic Change

This paper aims to provide an overview of how demographic issues, and demographic change in particular, are being discussed and addressed at the European Union level. It is based on research on expert groups on demographic change operating in the Brussels arena. The paper identifies four key areas of policy activity: skill gaps and human capital; pension reform; work-life balance and policies enabling choice on family formation; and active/healthy ageing. The paper explains that the bulk of this policy activity takes place in an institutional vacuum as authority on these issues is highly diffuse, policy timelines fragmented, and funding support scarce or politicized. The paper highlights the professional profiles of policy experts in this field and studies their interactions, their points of entry to the policy process, and their strategies. It also explores the extent to which cooperation with business actors provides opportunities for policy advocacy.