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 societal values interact with demographic change across the EBRD regions and beyond.
All content for EBRD podcasts is the property of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
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 societal values interact with demographic change across the EBRD regions and beyond.
Listen back to the launch of the latest EBRD’s Regional Economic Prospects launched in May 2025 during the 34th EBRD Annual Meeting and Business Forum in London.The discussion covered the latest economic forecasts for the regions where the EBRD invests. The EBRD’s Chief Economist, Beata Javorcik, and leading regional experts discussed the challenges confronting policymakers amidst rising geo-political tensions and intensifying pressures on government finances.
Speakers:
Jonathan Charles, Strategy Advisor
Sergey Guriev, Dean, Professor of Economics, London Business School
Beata Javorcik, Chief Economist, EBRD
Lord Jim O'Neill of Gatley
EBRD podcasts
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 societal values interact with demographic change across the EBRD regions and beyond.
