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.
Besides ageing of the population, birth-rates are declining
and countries are dependent on immigration dealing with the older
society.
The ageing population, a result of four trends
The ageing of the population is the result of four demographic trends:
- The average number of children per women is low, 1.5 children;
- The decline in fertility in recent decades followed the post-war baby boom which is today causing the bulge in the size of population aged 24-65 years;
- Life expectancy continuous to rise;
- Major inflows of net migration from third countries only partially compensating the low fertility numbers and extended life expectancy.
The size of the working age population, the main change
A result of these trends is a much older European population. In economic trends, the main change will involve the size of the working age population. The dependency ratio will double, it will change from having four to only two persons of working age for each citizen aged 65 and above.This communication reports trends, impacts and responses to the demographic challenge. Not only focusing on the problems and challenges but also looking at opportunities.
26 Jan 2012
Reference material
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EC Communication 2006: The demographic future of Europe – from challenge to opportunity
26 Jan 2012, pdf, 102KB