Social policies for elderly in the Southern European welfare regime

The demographic structure of the world has been significantly influenced by the two major world wars that occurred in the 20th century. Developed countries, in particular, experienced a decline in birth rates, accompanied by a decrease in the young population. This phenomenon led to substantial changes in demographic structures. As the population aged, countries shifted towards more elderly-focused social policies. The formulation of social policies for the elderly was influenced by demographic, economic, and social factors, changes in family structures, the principle of the welfare state, and humanitarian reasons. Southern European welfare states, including Spain, Greece, Italy, and later included in this category, Turkey, are examples of regions where these changes are observed. This study aims to examine the social policies implemented for the elderly in Southern European welfare countries, which are among the fastest-aging populations. The study conducts a literature review on social policies for the elderly, focusing on retirement systems, social assistance, and elderly care services. Keywords: Southern European Welfare State, Aging, Social Policies