Is demographic change a bigger global challenge than climate change? And is population ageing, in fact, one of humanity’s greatest successes?

In this episode, listen back to the launch of the EBRD’s Transition Report 2025-26: Brave Old World. Moderated by Richard Porter, EBRD Managing Director of Communications, the discussion brings together a distinguished panel:
Professor Sarah Harper CBE – Clore Professor of Gerontology, University of Oxford; Director, Oxford Institute of Population Ageing
Eghosa Omoigui – Founder and Managing General Partner, EchoVC Partners
Dr Nicholas Eberstadt – Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy, American Enterprise Institute
Beata Javorcik – EBRD Chief Economist

Brave Old World explores how demographic shifts are reshaping economies—from rapidly ageing societies to countries with youthful, fast-growing populations. The report examines declining fertility rates, the economic consequences of ageing, and the policy tools that can help countries adapt. These include extending productive working lives, accelerating automation, and enabling labour mobility.
The discussion also delves into how artificial intelligence, migration policy, and evolving societal values interact with demographic change across the EBRD regions and beyond.