Suchergebnisse

This paper deals with the assumptions of realization of silver economy in the EU, regarding expected effects related to aging in Europe. Intention is to present differences in size of potential demand formation of population in old and new EU countries. We also examine differences in consumption on EU level as well as in consumption of households in a given age groups. Special attention is paid to Slovakia and main consumption constraints including income inequality in particular regions and among them. The supplemented aspects of technological changes and determinants of consumption with both economical and non-economical character are included. For potential demand analysis we used EU-SILC data and individual data from Social Insurance Agency in Slovakia. In crisis period, problems with economic growth and high level of unemployment rate together with stagnation of wages represent barriers for formation of potential demand. These factors could significantly entail lower levels of average pensions, which could be accompanied with changing consumer preferences, purchasing power, aggregate demand, employment and sectors of production. At the end of the paper we conclude that in the new EU member states there is only little space for real saturation of consumption by goods and services for older people in terms of the concept of silver economy. On the other hand, Germany, Austria, France, Mediterranean, Nordic and Benelux countries represent a significant consumer opportunity in terms of the potential demand of older people aged 50 years and over.

The dynamics of inequality of educational achievements and opportunities in school education in Russia and the countries of the Visegrad group are studied. The study is based on the data of the "International Program for the Assessment of Educational Achievements of Students" (PISA) for 2003-2018. The methodology for assessing the inequality of possibilities is based on a parametric approach and ex-ante determination of the equality of possibilities. Research novelty is determined by the fact that an assessment of an important component of the inequality of educational achievements - the inequality of opportunities - is carried out. The idea of dividing inequality into unfair and fair components is justified within the framework of the theory of equal opportunities developed by Western social philosophy in the second half of the XX century. The completed calculations indicate that each of the countries under consideration is unique. The most problematic are Slovakia and Hungary, which have a downward trend in the average level of educational achievements and a high level of inequality of opportunities. Poland looks the most successful with an increase in educational results and a decrease in inequality of opportunities. In the Russian Federation there is an upward trend in reading and mathematical literacy, while natural science literacy stagnates. The level of inequality of opportunities in the Russian Federation is relatively low with a slight downward trend.