Mapping the ageing workforce: bridging scientific insights and policy strategies.

Population ageing represents one of the most significant demographic trends of the 21st century, posing complex challenges to labour markets, pension systems, and social policies. Although demographic, economic and health sciences have contributed substantially to the understanding of these phenomena, the translation of scientific evidence into effective policies remains hampered by disciplinary fragmentation and the absence of an integrated perspective. This study employs a science mapping methodology, analyzing 2,148 scientific publications over the past thirty years, to systematically examine the literature on the ageing workforce, with a focus on four key areas: human capital, pension reforms, health inequalities, and technological adaptation. Through a multidisciplinary synthesis and a clear analysis of conceptual linkages within the research field, strengths, weaknesses and gaps in existing research emerge. The results highlight the need to adopt dynamic metrics to measure ageing, promote comparative assessments of public policies and develop integrated approaches that simultaneously address health, socio-economic inequalities and technological transformations. The study concludes with recommendations to promote healthy and active aging, support the labour market participation of the over-50s, and direct future research towards more interdisciplinary, inclusive, and successful solutions for aging societies.