Beyond retirement migration: Older migrants, entrepreneurship, and Ageing Migration Paradox

This paper explores the tension arising from the significant economic contributions of older migrants (aged 55 and above) and the concurrent social and fiscal challenges they face in host countries. These challenges include integration barriers, isolation, and risks related to family ventures. The “Ageing Migration Paradox” lies in the persistent marginalisation and undervaluation of their transnational knowledge and creative potential, which exacerbates demographic imbalances and societal inequalities. We apply a conceptual optimisation framework designed to maximise economic and social returns. The study integrates policy analysis with comparative case studies from Canada, Germany, and Sweden and our approach investigates the roles of older migrants in terms of labour-market participation, late-life entrepreneurship, social integration and innovative activity. To transform the AMP into opportunities for sustainable and inclusive growth, we recommend policy changes, including faster credential recognition, tailored entrepreneurial support, flexible work arrangements, language training, and international cooperation on pension portability and healthcare.