Demographic change can pose a major challenge for the EU. Regions with a rapidly shrinking population are affected by a severe gap in the provision of social services (healthcare, cultural), physical (transport) and ICT connectivity, education and labour opportunities.

Depopulated regions are often low-income rural or post-industrial areas, with fewer job opportunities. The exodus of younger, skilled workers has further affected ageing, generation renewal and agricultural development. The economic crisis of 2008 led to young educated professionals from Southern and Eastern Europe moving to North-Western Europe. The Covid-19 crisis is likely to encourage this trend. Reduced economic activity and unemployment are expected to generate a new wave of migration by young people both within and between EU countries.

The European Parliament wants the demographic challenge to be a priority for the EU, alongside climate issues and the digital transition. A coordinated approach - integrating the principles of sustainability, greening and digitalisation across different EU policies - would also contribute to reversing negative demographic trends.

Demography in the EU

EMPL - Exchange of views with Dubravka Šuica (Vice-President of the European Commission for Democracy and Demography)

EP Plenary session - Old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020

A man jumps with his snowboard down the Luossabacken ski hill, in Kiruna city in Lappland region, Sweden.

Kiruna, Northern Sweden - Climate change

The Ice Hotel as it melts during a warm day in Jukkasjarvi near Kiruna city in Lappland region, Sweden. The Ice Hotel was created to prolong the summer tourist season to keep employment.

Kiruna, Northern Sweden - Ice hotel

Desertification in European regions - empty houses

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020.

Old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020: MEPs debate

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020: opening statements by Beata SZYDŁO (ECR, PL), rapporteur and by Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission, and by Christine ANDERSON (ID, DE) FEMM. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020: opening statements by Beata SZYDŁO (ECR, PL), rapporteur, Dubravka ŠUICA, Vicepresident of the European Commission and by Christine ANDERSON (ID, DE)

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020: closing statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission.

Old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020: closing statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (17-20 May 2021), MEPs debate on reversing demographic trends in EU regions using cohesion policy instruments: statements by Daniel BUDA (EPP, RO), rapporteur and by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights.

Reversing demographic trends in EU regions using cohesion policy instruments: statements by Daniel BUDA (EPP, RO), rapporteur and by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

Demographic change can pose a major challenge for the EU.The population dynamic in the EU has an impact on various aspects of life, from economic and social repercussions to cultural and environmental effects. This infoclip illustrates depopulated villages in Alsace (France) and projects to revitalise the economic activity, the Region of Kiruna (northernmost town in Sweden) and projects to attract new inhabitants (tourism, Institute of Space physics,...).

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