Intergenerational Fairness and the Welfare State in the Age of Inequality, Demographic Transformation, and Technological Change

WELFAIR addresses the urgent challenge of intergenerational fairness (IF) in a Europe shaped by inequality, technological disruption and demographic change. Currently, policymakers lack a convincing conceptual foundation of IF, a reliable empirical basis for measuring IF, and comprehensive policy solutions.To fill this gap, WELFAIR creates a new conceptual framework that grounds fairness in the capability approach and the notion of de-clustering disadvantages over the life-course. Building on this, WELFAIR constructs an intersectional indicator of IF that enables transparent, multidimensional comparisons across countries and social groups. On this basis, WELFAIR undertakes a comprehensive analysis of how inequality, technological change and demographic pressures combine to shape fairness outcomes across cohorts and over the life-course, showing where opportunities are created and where vulnerabilities accumulate. Finally, WELFAIR develops a coherent policy framework based on the social investment approach that integrates these findings into stock, flow and buffer policy packages, providing policymakers with actionable reform strategies tailored to diverse national contexts.WELFAIR delivers a unique suite of outputs: novel comparative datasets and indicators; stress-testing tools to evaluate reforms under different macroeconomic scenarios; and a Social Investment Action Plan that demonstrates how European welfare states can renew solidarity between generations. Through citizen deliberation and structured co-creation with policymakers and social partners, the project ensures that its proposals are not only scientifically rigorous but also socially legitimate and institutionally relevant.With this integrated approach, WELFAIR provides tools, data, and policy solutions that strengthen social and economic resilience and sustainability and boost inclusive growth while reducing vulnerabilities in an effort to safeguard IF.