At EU level, the demographic change is one of the main challenges for the future of Europe, with a level of complexity comparable to the green and digital transition[1].
Europe, like the rest of the world, has been confronted with a series of consecutive crises: the financial and economic crisis from 2008 and 2009, the climate and environment emergency, the sanitary crisis of 2020 and 2021 with the socio-economic crisis linked to it, as well as the consequences of the war in Ukraine. All these, directly or indirectly, have serious effects on the demographic perspective for the EU. We also need to make sure that a different demographic reality within the EU does not lead to polarization and put the internal cohesion under strain.
In order to provide Europe with a sustainable future we need to look for an integrated and comprehensive solution. The ecological system we are building is meant to provide a better world for the next generation. Moreover, we as Socialists and Democrats should opt for a sustainable demography in a sustainable environment.
Demographic challenges affect all dimensions of individual and social life. At the same time, we are experiencing a competition at global level, which covers aspects from economy, food safety, climate, defence and security, and technology. The demographic sustainability is an aspect of concern for all the major players. In order to safeguard and to further improve “our” European model, we should act now for the future generations.
Demographically speaking, the EU is an old geopolitical area, with a median age of almost 44 years. One noted an increase of the population 65+ in the last 20 years, which in some regions of the EU count for a quarter of the inhabitants.
[1] In the European Commission demography is a relatively new portfolio, with no specific services in the Commission dealing with the demography. However, there is a lot of expertise in the different Commission services on this particular subject.
