The Active Ageing Index (AAI) measures to what extent the potential of older people is used to contribute to the economy and society through paid and unpaid activities and through living independent, healthy and safe lives.

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Developed within a joint management project of the European Commission and the UN Economic Commission for Europe, the AAI was first applied to EU Member States at the national level in 2012 (for more detailed information on the AAI please visit the dedicated UNECE website). This Peer Review discussed the possible application of the AAI at local level and was held in Germany which has been piloting a feasibility study on calculating an AAI at the local level.

Host country: Germany

Date: 14-15 April 2016

Peer countries: Estonia - Finland - Italy - Malta - Poland - Romania - Spain

Stakeholders: AGE, ESN

Key learning elements

• A local-level Active Ageing Index (AAI) is feasible. However, the depth and coverage depend on the data sources available, as well as on local and national financial resources.
• A local or regional AAI can be used to measure untapped potential of older people, progress on activation, as well as mapping care needs; this is the same objective as the national-level AAI.
• The AAI can offer guidance for policy-making at various levels of governance and provide evidence-based insights into several aspects of active ageing.
• To convince local policy-makers that a local AAI is useful, the indicators must match local needs and focus on circumstances that can be politically influenced at a local level.
• Capacity-building through funding and expertise for a local application is needed.
• It is important to increase awareness of the benefits of the AAI and to build local support for it. This can be done by involving a wide range of actors in discussions on possible regional or local uses of the AAI.

Peer Review manager

Renate Haupfleisch (ÖSB Consulting GmbH)