"To mark the start of the 2012 European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity of Generations, the Commission presented ... a new Eurobarometer survey showing that 71% of Europeans are aware that Europe's population is getting older, but only 42% are concerned about this development. This is in stark contrast with the perceptions of policy makers, who regard demographic ageing as a major challenge. For most citizens, people aged 55 ... and older play a major role in key areas of society." (Quoted from article)