The Master’s Program “Silver Economy: Economy, Society, and Innovation in Longevity” provides postgraduate-level education and specialization enabling participants to identify and leverage opportunities, foster innovation and growth, and support social cohesion in the context of increasing longevity. The MSc program is offered in collaboration with the Department of Economics and Regional Development at Panteion University.
The program is designed for a broad range of participants, including economists, geographers, social and political scientists, social workers, as well as professionals in public administration, local government, business, and NGOs. It is also addressed to business executives seeking to understand and manage the implications of population ageing at national, regional, and organizational levels.
Academically, the Silver Economy constitutes a rapidly evolving and interdisciplinary field at the intersection of the social sciences, humanities, and life sciences. The program places particular emphasis on identifying emerging needs, designing appropriate products and services, and developing policies that respond to the economic and social transformations associated with longer life expectancy and population ageing.
The program aims to train a new generation of professionals, including public administrators, local government officials, managers, consultants, entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, and analysts, capable of operating in this emerging field in Greece and internationally. Graduates are equipped either to pursue advanced research or to take on applied roles in organizations and businesses, contributing to both public and private sector adaptation to demographic change.
Globally, life expectancy has reached historically unprecedented levels, leading to a steady increase in both the number and the share of older individuals. Population ageing affects all aspects of economic and social life, generating complex challenges while also opening new areas of opportunity. Projections indicate that the global population aged 60 and over will reach approximately 2.1 billion by 2050. Although the pace and timing of ageing vary across regions, the trend is universal and structurally embedded.
Within this context, the “silver economy”-defined as the set of economic activities related to individuals aged 60 and over-emerges as both a policy response and a field of practice. Its development requires interdisciplinary knowledge and specialized skills, which this program is designed to provide.