Ageing and welfare reform in the Nordic Countries, 1990-2010 ...

5. ConclusionsNot least due to the perceived challenge of ageing, the Nordic countries have experienved a quitesignificant break up of welfare structures that were once believed to be stable. Both in the fields oftax and labour market policy, one could speak of recommodification. Ironically, this was to a largeextent carried through by centre-right governments which successfully sought to brand themselvesas relatively ”Social Democratic”.The activation of social protection and taxation converge in the ambition to increase labour supply.Employment efforts are directed to a much broader target group than previously. Pension andretirement systems are adapted to induce later retirement. And tax systems have been adjusted toencourage increasing labour supply. Whether any of these efforts will work, remains to be seen. Italso remains to be seen whether these reforms may undermine citizenship. This possibility cannotbe ruled out.20