SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DETERMINATION OF OLDER ADULT EDUCATION IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The demographic ageing of Ukraine’s population, marked by declining birth rates, high mortality, and significant emigration, has intensified socio-economic challenges and reshaped the role of older adults in society. As Ukraine faces one of the highest rates of population ageing in Europe, the necessity of social adaptation and integration for older adults becomes increasingly urgent. Education emerges as a critical means of maintaining social activity, preserving human potential, and ensuring active and positive ageing. The study aims to substantiate the importance of older adult education for the preservation and development of human capital within Ukraine’s current socio-demographic context and to present an institutional model of older adult education designed for national implementation. The research applies theoretical and methodological approaches such as axiological, activity-oriented, and competence-based frameworks. It integrates principles of humanization, social and gender equity, and intergenerational communication. The model was developed through comparative analysis of successful international practices in older adult education and adapted to Ukrainian socio-economic conditions. The article identifies key socio-economic factors driving the need for lifelong learning among older adults, including technological advancement, labor market shifts, and social isolation risks. The proposed institutional model of older adult education in Ukraine encompasses theoretical, methodological, and organizational components. It envisions the establishment of Institutes for Older Adult Learning within higher education institutions, combining general, professional, and creative programs to enhance social integration, intergenerational interaction, and continued personal and professional development. The study provides one of the first comprehensive frameworks for institutionalizing older adult education in Ukraine. By linking demographic and socio-economic analysis with a structured educational model, it contributes a novel approach to implementing lifelong learning as a core element of national social policy. Older adult education is a strategic tool for promoting active ageing, social inclusion, and economic sustainability in Ukraine. Implementing an institutional model within higher education can expand opportunities for self-realization, intergenerational exchange, and human capital development, thus reducing dependence on social welfare systems and contributing to overall societal well-being.