Demographic changes and their impact on the labor market and education system. The result of a nationwide moderated discussion

Purpose: the main goal of this article is to determine whether demographic changes threaten the development of the labor market and education system. Methodology: theses and research questions were verified by means of a group interview, carried out with a target group of experts representing nurses and midwives in their trade union organizations. The basic recording technique for the interview was sound and audio recording. Findings: demographic changes will affect the future shape of education and the labor market. The most serious challenge is the need to adjust education levels to the age structure of the population resulting from demographic change. There is a need to improve people’s competences by promoting the idea of lifelong learning. As a result of aging, labor resources will come from a much older population than today. This is a challenge of updating current training programs to adapt them to aging societies – and Europe’s competitiveness will depend on the quality of their employment and the efficiency of their work. Originality: knowledge presented in the article indicates that special attention should be paid to supporting the smooth transition of young people from education stage to the labor market, as well as ensuring the longest possible economic activity of people over the age of 50. Considering the above, it should be clearly stated that demographic, economic and social trends have led the period of economic activity of Poles and citizens of most European countries being extended.