GERMANY: 38,000 Elderly Study in German Universities

WIESBADEN, Germany (Global Action on Ageing Newsletter), July 11, 2006: "Lifelong Learning," Retirees' Best Slogan Post WWII comments the latest edition of the GAA Newsletter, which discloses that around 38,000 Elderly, 49% of Whom Are Women, now study in German Universities. The central department of statistics of Wiesbaden, northern Germany, has reported that an increasing number of retirees over 65 years old sit next to younger people in the auditoriums of universities, recording an increase of 18,300 retirees attending classes compared to the previous academic year. The percentage of foreigners currently studying in German universities and institutes represent 8% (3,000) of the overall number of retirees actually studying. The department of statistics explains the surge in interest in study is fueled by a desire of the elderly to avoid nursing homes, which, according to the human rights institute, often have practices that violate human rights. Source: Global Action on Ageing Newsletter