Across the EU, the number of older people is increasing – particularly fast, when it comes to people over 80 – and the number of young and working-age people is decreasing. Many regard this as a problem, particularly if they see older people as a burden. This view is unjustifiably negative and during the 2012 European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations, the Commission started supporting the development of a measure of active ageing. These three broad dimensions of active ageing – employment, social participation and independent living – are brought together in the Active Ageing Index (AAI). It has been calculated for women and men in every EU country, using a variety of data sources available.