Brave old world- the launch of EBRD Transition Report 2025-26

About this episode

This episode discusses the EBRD's Transition Report 2025-26, focusing on the implications of demographic changes on economies.

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…

People in this episode

Host: Richard Porter

Guests: Professor Sarah Harper CBE, Eghosa Omoigui, Dr Nicholas Eberstadt, Beata Javorcik

Topics covered

• demographic change
• population ageing
• economic consequences of ageing
• fertility rates
• labour mobility
• artificial intelligence
• migration policy

Keywords

• demographic shifts
• ageing societies
• fertility decline
• economic adaptation
• automation
• labour market
• societal values

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Oxford, Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, EchoVC Partners, American Enterprise Institute, EBRD

Books & works: EBRD Transition Report 2025-26