Crisis, the Silver Economy, and the Depopulation of Rural Areas: The Case of the Podlaskie Voivodeship (Poland)

One of the main challenges of social and economic policy in Poland in the early 21st century is to adapt its institutions and organizations to the requirements of an ageing society. Rapid population ageing combined with depopulation has significant effects at regional and local level such as increased demand for the social and health sector services, investments in the public transport, and removal of architectural barriers. Moreover, ageing changes the structures of the family, consumption, innovation, and productivity of the human work.

The population ageing and depopulation lead to the growing importance of phenomena such as skills and labor supply gaps, intergenerational solidarity, and a digital and robotic divide. At the same time, increased life expectancy favors the development of goods and services for older workers, older consumers, and older investors.

The main goal of this paper is to present the emerging concept of the “silver economy” on the example of the Podlaskie Voivodeship (Poland) in the context of the global economic crisis of 2008. Main ideas and assumptions of a positive response and measures aimed at tackling the consequences of population ageing and depopulation will be discussed. The paper will focus on the critical review of concepts presented in strategy documents of Polish government, regional development strategies, and the “Analysis of Economic Growth and Innovation Areas of Podlaskie: Geriatric Rehabilitation Sector.”

The summary will contain conclusions relevant to theory and practice. The discussion will be centered on the coordination and integration of social services with regard to the concepts of welfare mix, welfare pluralism, and multilevel governance.