Healthy life expectancy in Romania at the age of 65 stands at 4.3 years for men and 3.8 years for women, while in the European Union the figures reach 9.6 years for women and 9.2 years for men.

The information was presented by the Vice-President of the National Institute of Statistics, Ioan Silviu Virva, during the third edition of the National Congress on Active Ageing, held on Monday at the Palace of Parliament.

„Healthy life years at the age of 65 in Romania average 4.3 years for men and 3.8 years for women, whereas in the European Union the values are 9.6 years for women and 9.2 for men. These differences require us to remain committed to prevention, easy access to services and support for autonomy — the conditions that make possible a life defined not only by longevity, but also by activities essential to wellbeing,” he said.

Ioan Silviu Virva noted that active ageing represents „dignity, autonomy and participation”, while also highlighting the real role seniors can play in the economy and in social, political and community life.

„The employment rate among those aged 65-69 is 5.3% in Romania. For the 70-74 age group it is 1.3%. This is likely due to flexible working arrangements, continuing education, and opportunities for mentoring and entrepreneurship, which keep skills within the economic cycle and strengthen social cohesion,” Virva added.

He also pointed to an increase in internet use among people aged 55-74 compared with 2024.

The INS vice-president further stated that, in Romania, people over the age of 65 account for 20.3% of the population — a rise of three percentage points over the past decade. The EU average stands at 21.6%.

„This is a structural transformation taking place both in Romania and more broadly, internationally. Such demographic shifts require not only regular monitoring through statistical data, but also consistent, sustainable and effective long-term policies,” he said.

State Counsellor Laszlo Borbely, coordinator of the Department for Sustainable Development, encouraged those present to embrace an active lifestyle.

„We have an extraordinarily beautiful country, Romania. Let us protect it! Ours is the only country in Europe with five ecosystems: the Black Sea and its coastal areas; the unique steppe; the continental; the Pannonian; and the alpine. We have wonderful people, different ethnic groups, different cultures, different religions. Let us come together and do more for this country!” he said. AGERPRES