Resolution 2592 (2025)1Provisional version

Overcoming age-based discrimination against older persons

Parliamentary Assembly1. Human rights should not be denied or reduced with age. As established in international human rightstreaties, they are universal and must therefore apply equally to everyone. Older persons should have therights, resources and facilities allowing them to remain full members of society, on the basis of the principlesof autonomy, equality, independence, participation and respect for every person’s dignity.

2. Ageism – defined as stereotypes, prejudice and discriminatory practices on the basis of age –reinforces the perception that inequalities and discrimination against older persons are natural or inevitable,which is not the case. Older persons have to face a discourse drawing attention to the consequences of ademographic shift towards an older population, the growing “burden” they represent, and the “high cost” ofensuring their equality of human rights.

3. Age-based discrimination is as harmful as any other form of discrimination. Older persons experienceage-based discrimination in all areas of life, especially in the workplace, and in access to services, education,and healthcare.

4. A less protective legal framework on and in response to age-based discrimination, in comparison withother grounds for discrimination, is not justified and should be remedied. Alongside robust legislationprohibiting discrimination on grounds of age in all areas of life, a wide range of measures should be put inplace to combat ageism in society.

5. Older persons are not a homogeneous group, and it is important to apply an intersectional approach toprevent and combat the ageism and the discrimination they encounter.

6. The negative narrative around age and ageing in society needs to be challenged and changed in orderto counter age-based stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination. Ageism as a socially acceptable phenomenonshould be challenged through a range of channels, including awareness-raising measures, improvedlegislation and policies, education, intergenerational interventions, and research and data collection on itsmanifestations and effects, including an analysis of intersectional discrimination affecting older persons(for instance migrants, LGBTI persons, women, persons with disabilities, persons with ethnic minoritybackground, etc.).

7. The Parliamentary Assembly underlines the need to meet target 10.2 of the United Nations SustainableDevelopment Goals (SDGs), which aims to empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusionof all, “irrespective of age” and other characteristics, by 2030. In addition to SDG 10 (reduce inequalities),other SDGs are relevant for older persons: SDG 3 (ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at allages), SDG 1 (end poverty), SDG 5 (achieve gender equality) and SDG 8 (promote decent work for all).

8. The Assembly welcomes the Pact for the Future, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly inSeptember 2024, and its call to promote intergenerational solidarity, dialogue and engagement, including withand among children, youth and older persons, in policy and decision-making processes.

1. Assembly debate on 31 January 2025 (9th sitting) (see Doc. 16091, report of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, rapporteur: Ms Andrea Eder-Gitschthaler). Text adopted by the Assembly on 31 January 2025 (9th sitting).

See also Recommendation 2291 (2025).

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