Elżbieta Roszko-Wójtowicz ^1* Klaudia Przybysz ² Agnieszka Stanimir ²

• ¹ University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
• ² Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, Wroclaw, Poland

The ageing population presents a significant demographic and socio-economic challenge for the European Union (EU), with declining fertility rates and increased life expectancy contributing to a growing proportion of older individuals. This study assesses the quality of life for seniors in EU countries during the years 2015, 2019, and 2022, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It addresses the question of how the quality of life for seniors has evolved over time and how the pandemic has influenced this trajectory. The hypothesis is that the pandemic exacerbated existing socio-economic inequalities, disproportionately affecting vulnerable older populations.The study employs the Synthetic Measure of Senior Quality of Life (SMSQoL) to evaluate seniors' living conditions in four key areas: health, finances, social relations, and environment. Data was drawn from Eurostat, national statistical reports, and pilot studies in selected EU countries, supplementing quantitative measures where standardized data was lacking. The assessment covers 27 EU member states, with descriptive and inferential statistical methods used to identify trends and disparities, particularly in relation to social policies, social security, healthcare access, and economic strength.Results show significant regional disparities in seniors' quality of life. In Northern and Western Europe, countries like Sweden and Germany experienced improvements, supported by strong social policies and healthcare systems. However, in Eastern Europe, countries such as Romania and Bulgaria saw minimal progress, with economic instability, limited healthcare access, and weak social security systems contributing to stagnation. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened inequalities, particularly in social relations and finances, disproportionately affecting seniors in economically vulnerable regions through increased social isolation and reduced income.The study concludes that economic and social inequalities in seniors' quality of life persist across the EU. While Northern and Western Europe has made progress, Eastern Europe faces significant ongoing challenges. The pandemic intensified these disparities, highlighting the need for balanced policy interventions to address the vulnerabilities of older populations, especially in economically unstable regions. Future research should explore longitudinal studies to assess post-pandemic recovery and the effectiveness of policy measures aimed at reducing these inequalities.