Human Capital and Productive Aging

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Within this thematic area, the Vienna Development Knowledge Center supports policies and practices that enhance skills development, healthy aging, and inclusive labor market participation, including through lifelong learning, employment-oriented labor market policies, and inclusive social protection systems.

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wbg:regions/europe-and-central-asia
wbg:topic/health_broad

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brief

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February 18, 2026

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Strengthening human capital across the life cycle is essential for building resilience, productivity, and societal wellbeing. Demographic change is reshaping economic and social systems across Europe and Central Asia, with longer life expectancy, shifting family structures, and evolving labor markets creating new demands on education systems, health and care services, and social protection.

Within this thematic area, the Center supports policies and practices that enhance skills development, healthy aging, and inclusive labor market participation, including through lifelong learning, employment-oriented labor market policies, and inclusive social protection systems that respond to the needs of older adults and persons with disabilities.

Activities

Disability-Inclusive Social Protection Systems and Long-Term Care

https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/vienna-development-knowledge-center/brief/building-inclusive-support-systems-for-persons-with-disabilities

Vienna-Dev-Center-DSB

Across ECA, persons with disabilities and older adults face persistent barriers to education, employment, and community life. Many rely on informal care provided by family members. As family structures shift and care needs grow due to demographic change, investing in inclusive, person-centered systems is essential to strengthen autonomy, create opportunities in the care economy, and reduce disparities.

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Leveraging AI to Improve Student Learning

https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/vienna-development-knowledge-center/brief/ai-in-schools-opportunities-challenges-realities-for-the-future-of-learning

Vienna DKC AI in Education

Across ECA, many students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds or developing countries, are struggling to master basic literacy, numeracy and digital skills. By offering personalized instruction, real-time feedback and adaptive learning tools, could AI help students catch up, stay engaged and reach their full potential?

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