The aging population in Denmark is becoming increasingly prominent, with senior citizens stepping up to fill the void left by the dwindling youth. Thorben Alstrup, an 83-year-old bus driver, is just one example of the fit elderly individuals who are being called upon for their valuable skills and experience.
As Denmark faces a population decline, the need for older adults to remain in the workforce is more important than ever. Alstrup and others like him are proving that age is just a number, showcasing their ability to contribute to society in meaningful ways.
The shift towards utilizing older workers is not just limited to the workforce, but also extends to various aspects of everyday life. From volunteering to caregiving, senior citizens are playing an active role in their communities and making a positive impact.
Denmark’s approach to embracing and empowering its elderly population serves as a model for other countries facing similar demographic challenges. By recognizing the value that older adults bring to the table, society as a whole can benefit from their wealth of knowledge, skills, and wisdom.
In a world where youth is often celebrated and prioritized, Denmark’s emphasis on the contributions of its elderly population is a refreshing and inspiring reminder that age should not be a barrier to living a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Watch the video by DW News
Video “Denmark's elderly step up to fill the void left by dwindling youth | Focus on Europe” was uploaded on 04/20/2025 to Youtube Channel DW News
Ya, ya. A story about a spry 83 year old guy who knows what responsibly is.
This is the secret to a long life. ❤ I never plan to stop
Nice – and they get paid humanely (unlike exploitation of old age poverty elsewhere).
If there's a shortage and there are people who want to work, where's the problem?
There is only so much gardening and chores until it no longer feels rewarding. The Pensioners are staying as active as they can, so they won't need to visit essential services as frequently. Sadly, there aren't as many industries which are suited to Pensioners
This is a disgrace!
I bet they are paying him less than a 30 year old with kids, I mean someone who's not going to drop dead and have the buss just go off? Can his life skills be useful elsewhere?
This isn't for me, if I live to be 82 I can certainly find something more enjoyable to do with my time than driving a bus.
Id like to work until I physically cant. It is weird but staying at home waiting to die is not a good feeling plus when you can work why not work and socialise? I fear that I wont get a pension and with the current cost of living- will be lucky to find a job after retirement. At least Denmark provides opportunities for older workers
Hey, if he likes it and can physically work then more power to him. Just keep in mind he's the exception not the rule. Most 80yo just can't do this
Same to my country, Korea
And being old now is so different to the past
It is really surprising to see that a 83 yr old man can drive a commercial vehicle. In India this is the impossible which cannot happen. 😮
This is the way to counter under population, if someone is healthy enough to work beyond 60 then we should allow them, it's a win win situation for both personally and for the country, hope other countries which faces same situation like Korea, Japan, and other European countries follow this model
83? He looks AMAZING!!!!
What in the dystopia is this piece?
I love how Denmark takes care of its people,and citizens giving back. A breath of hope in a tumultuous world!
News that's uplifting? I almost didn't know what I was watching. Thanks DW for this hopeful piece. I frankly would trust an 80-year-old fit employee over someone younger who doesn't even want to be there.
You all understand this is not a good thing, right?
How sad…I do not want to be working for others at 83. I want to be enjoying my life after decades of work. Its such a myth that anyone would do this unless forces. Heartbreaking
Sign of a dying continent…
This is the worst timeline.
In the 1970s, there was this massive “over population” scare……looks like the experts were wrong. The question is, where is the next generation? Why aren’t young people having more kids? Perhaps it is because Gen X and Millennials are saddled with paying for overly generous public pension systems and feel as if they don’t have enough money to support a family? In the US, FDR messed up by not making SS and Medicare a self-funded system with individually number accounts. The “social insurance” scheme is robbing the next generation blind.
And suddenly he dies at the wheel at 50 mph, many passengers killed
Mugs
I see more and more of these stories, clearly the government is pushing for people to keep working till they drop.
And young people want to get high on weed 😂
Increase retirement, age that’s the only solution!
What a great attitude! And he looks more like 63 than 83!
When I was visiting Copenhagen, our bus driver and tour guide was also a retired elderly man. He was lovely and so happy with his second phase of life !
I love this ❤ ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Europe living in denial
The efforts of these elderly people deserve appreciation , having said that there is a need to review the past mistakes of not having children and allowing lot of Arabs, unnecessary enimity with Russia is a perfect cocktail to destroy the country. Unfortunately it's applicable to all the western countries.
Translation :
Don't get fixed on the idea you're gonna get a retirement.
Danish cookies😅
Why not allow regulated migration
Denmark's decision to welcome retirees back into the workforce is fantastic, especially given the shortage of young people who aren’t willing to take on essential jobs. This gap poses a potential risk to the Danish economy. Nowadays, roles like bus drivers, cleaners, mail carriers, and nurses are largely filled by immigrants.
Why are the job vacancies not filled with young people or immigrants instead? I heard now it is hard to get job in Denmark too. So…this news is questionable to me. It is another publicity news like "living in happiest country"!
Happy that he feels this way, but American Politicians will see this and fail to recognize that the only reason he probably feels this way is because his country’s been so good to him that he feels compelled to do this.
He should be able to do what he wants, but honestly, I have a hard time believing that he enjoys riding busses so much that he couldn't find a hobby that was better to do – hardly a win in my opinion.
Working until your death is ridiculous.
When elderly people stop work… they fall apart.
so the way to close the gap to western civilisations decline is to make elderly work until they die ? Not at all to promote women's fertility and renewal of the work force.
This guy is an exemple for us all in term of mindset, but sayin that " he fill the gap" is utterly r*t*r*d*d.
Our societies are dying. and no amount of personnal effort will fix this situation. This is a cultural and societal level of effort
Omg, he looks great
This is what I want to be at this age. Old, wise, healthy, and working regularly. I don't want to be a pensioner. I want to keep learning. I want to interact with younger generations … teaching them and learning from them. I live in Germany right now (but I'm from the States and don't have German citizenship yet). I don't think Germany or the US is this progressive though. Perhaps by the time I am his age, they will have evolved. Seniors are a treasure to the work force!
Many Britons work into their late seventies and some into their early eighties