Ideas and policies on active ageing in Norway and the UK

This article raises two questions: first, which active ageing ideas and policies/programmes can be identified in Norway and the UK? Second, do the two countries act differently, and if so why? The analysis is divided into four parts. First, we formulate an institutional framework for analysing active ageing policies. We then briefly map the demographic and social challenges in both Norway and the UK. The third part presents an empirical description of active ageing ideas and policies in the two countries. Finally, the findings are discussed and conclusions drawn. Based on secondary literature and commissioned reports in both countries, country-specific statistics, interviews with Norwegian key policy actors, and a Norwegian expert panel debate, the article demonstrates that Norway and the UK belong to different types of welfare states and political economies and consequently adhere to and promote different conceptualisations and policies of active ageing. However, the analysis also finds parallel policy positions in terms of an increasing focus on the labour market and activation measures and a stronger normative linkage between contributions and benefits. These policy developments indicate that we also have to take into consideration the diffusion of ideas, ideologies, and policy solutions across national boundaries. In addition, institutional landscapes may change.