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EU Faces Pension Crisis as Elderly Dependency Soars

10/2/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The European Union (EU) old-age dependency ratio rose from 26.8% in 2004 to 37.0% in January 2024.
Belgium's Veurne tops at 72.8%, with fewer than two working-age adults per elderly; above 70% are Alto Tâmega e Barroso 71.4% and Evrytania 71.1%.
Lowest ratios are Mayotte 6.1%, Guyane 13.8%, and Byen København 17.8%, underscoring EU-wide pressures on pensions and healthcare.

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Story summary

The European Union (EU) old-age dependency ratio rose from 26.8% in 2004 to 37.0% in January 2024.
Belgium's Veurne tops at 72.8%, with fewer than two working-age adults per elderly; above 70% are Alto Tâmega e Barroso 71.4% and Evrytania 71.1%.
Lowest ratios are Mayotte 6.1%, Guyane 13.8%, and Byen København 17.8%, underscoring EU-wide pressures on pensions and healthcare.