Possibility of adopting a demographic strategy for Europe

Subject: Possibility of adopting a demographic strategy for Europe

Most Member States have seen a constant population decline owing to falling birth rates. This trend is already beginning to have an adverse effect on countries like Italy and, if it is not halted, will have a devastating impact on the country’s future economic and social viability. Specifically, it will undermine both Italy’s social security system and its ability to manage its welfare and public health systems.

We believe that the Commissioner responsible needs to start working actively and concretely on this widespread issue of the decline in birth rates. Publishing papers about the ageing population and the depopulation of certain EU regions is not enough. We would like to see a demographic strategy for Europe being adopted which includes support guidelines for Member States and provides for the allocation of substantial resources to help young couples become more financially independent. It should also include information campaigns in schools on demographics and sustainability.

In view of the above, can the Commission say whether it is aware of this problem and whether it will put active demographic policies in place?

Submitted: 19.4.2023

Answer given by Vice-President Šuica on behalf of the European Commission (30 June 2023)

The average birth rate has been mostly decreasing or stagnating since the 1960s. In 2021, it stood at 1.53 live births per woman (compared to 1.50 in 2020). While a slight increase compared to 2020, this is well below the value of 2.1 required to maintain a stable population.

Starting a family and having children is a matter of individual choice and the EU has no competence in this area. Nonetheless, the EU can support Member States in designing and implementing for policies that help create a social and economic environment allowing individuals to decide according to their personal preferences.

In January 2023, the Commission published its second Report on the Impact of Demographic Change (1). In addition, the EU provides a set of policies, regulatory frameworks and funding instruments that support the Member States in their efforts to address demographic change.

Examples include the Green Paper on Ageing (2), the European Care Strategy (3), the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child (4), the European Child Guarantee (5), the Work-Life Balance Directive (6), the EU’s migration strategies, including the talent pool and partnerships, the Harnessing Talent Communication (7), the European Semester, cohesion policy and others.

The Commission welcomes the calls by the Member States, the European Parliament and other stakeholders for measures to tackle demographic challenges in an integrated and comprehensive manner.

To this end, the Commission is working on a demography toolbox to be presented in autumn 2023.

1 ∙ ⸱ https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2023-01/the_impact_of_demographic_change_in_a_changing_environment_2023.PDF

2 ∙ ⸱ https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2021-06/green_paper_ageing_2021_en.pdf

3 ∙ ⸱ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52022DC0440

4 ∙ ⸱ https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2021-09/ds0821040enn_002.pdf

5 ∙ ⸱ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021H1004

6 ∙ ⸱ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32019L1158

7 ∙ ⸱ https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/3c43b2f5-9690-11ed-b508-01aa75ed71a1/language-en/format-PDF