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A drastic slump in birth rates combined with an ageing population will undermine Europe’s prosperity within the next 20 years unless life is made easier for parents and immigration is encouraged, according to a European Commission report.
The document published yesterday points to a demographic timebomb and a widening gap between the European Union and the United States, as European workers age and birth rates lag across the continent.
The document points out that the fertility rate in Europe is “insufficient to replace the population” and adds: “Never in history has there been economic growth without population growth.”
More controversially, the green paper also concludes that “ever larger migrant flows may be needed to meet the need for labour and safeguard Europe’s prosperity”.
The findings challenge policies adopted by many European countries, which have rushed to introduce populist measures to restrict immigration.
The figures suggest that governments may be sacrificing long-term economic prosperity for short-term electoral gain. They also indicate that more effort should be made to help young couples to balance the demands of working and parenting.
news.independent.co.uk/europe/story.jsp?story=621262
The document published yesterday points to a demographic timebomb and a widening gap between the European Union and the United States, as European workers age and birth rates lag across the continent.
The document points out that the fertility rate in Europe is “insufficient to replace the population” and adds: “Never in history has there been economic growth without population growth.”
More controversially, the green paper also concludes that “ever larger migrant flows may be needed to meet the need for labour and safeguard Europe’s prosperity”.
The findings challenge policies adopted by many European countries, which have rushed to introduce populist measures to restrict immigration.
The figures suggest that governments may be sacrificing long-term economic prosperity for short-term electoral gain. They also indicate that more effort should be made to help young couples to balance the demands of working and parenting.
news.independent.co.uk/europe/story.jsp?story=621262