Policy

EC Demography Report 2010 (NEW UPDATE)

Over the years, changing patterns of fertility and immigration have brought new visions and insights on population structures in Europe. Fertility rates and life expectancies are slightly rising and demographic trends are characterised by stronger migration flows from non- EU nations and between Member States. The Commission’s third report on demography describes the latest trends in population change, fertility, migration, life expectancy and the impact of the economic recession .The analysis was conducted jointly by the Directorate General for ‘Employment, social affairs and inclusion’ and Eurostat.

Parenting support: the role of local authorities and NGOs (NEW UPDATE)

Parenting determines the development and well-being of a child and therefore is an important factor in shaping our future generations. Local authorities and NGOs play a vital role in developing youth and family policies. But how can local actors adjust their services to the needs of families and which interventions should be introduced to ensure proper parenting? Eurochild’s report “The role of local authorities in parenting support” proposes several policy recommendations that could enhance the accessibility of family services and finds opportunities for breaking the intergenerational transmission of poverty. These recommendations resulted from Eurochild’s Family and Parenting Support Thematic Working Group Round Table hosted in the City of Eindhoven and the Netherlands Youth Institute.

2012: The European Year of Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity (NEW UPDATE)

Every year the Commission expresses its commitment to a certain social European challenge. The year 2012 is the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. Active ageing is defined by the World Health Organisation as the process of optimising opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age.

EC Communication 2009: Dealing with the impact of an ageing population in the EU (NEW UPDATE)

People live longer but birth-rates are declining. The majority of European citizens are able to lead an active, participatory and healthy live into an old age. This brings opportunities to innovative firms through the new demand for goods and services. However the combination of ageing societies and declining birth-rates brings economic budgetary and social challenges with it.

EC communication 2007: Promoting solidarity between the generations (NEW UPDATE)

The structure of the society is changing. Family structures are changing; there are more ‘older workers’, elderly people, fewer children and young adults of working age. The bridges between the various stages of life are increasing and have become more complex.

EC Communication 2006: The demographic future of Europe – from challenge to opportunity (NEW UPDATE)

Economic, social and medical progress give people the opportunity to live a long life in comfort and security. On the other side is this also a major challenge that the European Union will have to face in the years to come.

EC Green paper 2005: Confronting demographic change: a new solidarity between the generations (NEW UPDATE)

Europe is facing and undergoing great demographic changes. The natural population increased in Europe with a marginal 0.04% per annum, new Member States are faced with falling populations, immigration is in many countries vital to ensure population growth and the fertility rate is below the threshold needed to renew the population.

EC White Paper - A new impetus for European youth

The White Paper 'A new impetus for European youth' was published in 2001 order to promote new forms of European governance. Young people are the ones who will be most affected by modern trends such as economic- and demographic change, globalisation and cultural diversity the most. It was therefore believed that European policy-makers should facilitiate this process of change by making young people stakeholders in European societies.

Urban development promotion programme "Urban Restructuring in Eastern Germany"

Urban development promotion programme "Urban Restructuring in West Germany"

Regional Policy Responses to Demographic Change

The conference Regional Responses to Demographic Challenges on January 25-26, 2007 is the second in a series organised in the context of the Regions for Economic Change initiative.
The objective of this conference is precisely to arrive at a better understanding of the diverse challenges which Europe’s regions face on the demography question. It will also focus on the
key role which regional policy plays in dealing with these challenges. Regional policy, by involving all relevant partners in the design and implementation of policies, by promoting medium-term strategic planning and a stable financial framework, allows regions to respond to population change through policies which are tailored to their specific needs.

Commission decision: Setting up an expert group on demographic issues

With the Decision of 8 June 2007, the Commission set up a group of experts on demographic issues. The group is made up of representatives from all Member States, as well as a small number of independent experts.

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the demographic future of Europe

In August 2007, the Committee of the Regions has published an opinion on the demographic future of Europe. In this document, the CoR presents general comments on the Commission communication: The demographic future of Europe — from challenge to opportunity and its proposals.

Demography Report 2008

The second European Demography Report has been published on 21 November 2008 and provides the latest facts and figures that are needed to assess where Member States stand in responding to the challenges of demographic change. The 2008 report focuses on the ageing society and changing family and household patterns in the EU.

Regions 2020- An Assessment of Future Challenges for EU Regions

'Regions 2020' provides a first prospective analysis of the likely regional impact of four of the biggest challenges facing Europe: globalisation, demographic change, climate change, and the energy supply.

Commission communication: Dealing with the impact of an ageing population in the EU

The Commission communication adopted on April 29, 2009, presents the age-related expenditure projections on the basis of new population projections provided by Eurostat for up to 2060.

Preparing for Demographic Change in Finland

Finland is ageing more rapidly than average within the EU. Finland’s old-age dependency ratio (the ratio of those aged 65+ to those aged 15-64) is currently quite typical, compared to other EU states. By the year 2020, this ratio will weaken further in Finland, and it will have, according to this method of measurement, the greatest relative population of elderly citizens in the EU.

Commission communication: Europe2020 - A European strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth

The Europe 2020 strategy put forward by the Commission sets out a vision of Europe's social market economy for the 21st century. It shows how the EU can come out stronger from the crisis and how it can be turned into a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy delivering high levels of employment, productivity and social cohesion. To deliver rapid and lasting results, stronger economic governance will be required.