Demography and lifelong learning

Abstract

This is the first of the Inquiry's thematic papers, published on 20 January 2009. It reviews the evidence on demographic change which shows that the normal lifespan is increasing; the population is ageing and becoming more diverse. Alongside this it identifies globalisation, technological and social change as key factors meaning that most people will experience, during their lifetime, more change than any previous generation. It argues that if people are to lead satisfying and productive lives, they will need to learn throughout this extended lifespan, constantly building and maintaining their employability, engagement with society and their autonomy and identity capital.