Demographic aging of population and the social protection system in the Republic of Macedonia

Abstract

The process of demographic aging has been observed in many of the European countries as well as in the Republic of Macedonia. Based on the UN projections for participation of the elderly in the Republic of Macedonia, it is expected that the number of elderly persons at the age group older than 60 years will increase from 16.5 percent in 2009 to 33.0 percent in 2050 and for the elderly aged over 80 years from 2 percent in 2009 to 6.8 percent in 2050.This process affects almost all segments of society, but its impact is particularly evident on the system of pension insurance, healthcare as well as on social protection. Adopted international documents and harmonisation with national legislation lead to complete transformation of the system of social protection of the elderly. New scientific knowledge, changes of economic conditions and demographic realities lead to introduction of new social protection principles such as pluralism, decentralization, and inclusion.This paper analyzes both international and national legal framework of social protection of elderly through the segments of introduced innovations, with special emphasis on the rights and services as well as on the assessment of the development of social services in accordance to the needs of elderly people, their availability and efficiency in meeting of individual needs of elderly. Expansion of the programs and implementation of the new scheme of social protection in the area of elderly care represents a convergence to the concept of active aging and to the holistic approach in the process of planning and provision of social services.