European View

Demographic changes will drastically alter the societal balance between active and inactive individuals. As a result, Europe will shortly face substantial shortages in the labour market. This article looks at The Netherlands as a case study to demonstrate the need for close cooperation in finding solutions. The author identifies two specific untapped participant groups: the elderly (‘silver participation’), and women part-timers, which must both be encouraged to join in the workforce. There must be cooperation among governments, social partners, companies, civil society and individual citizens to have a lasting and effective impact.

The demographic challenge faces not just Europe but the world. It requires a global strategy as well as coherent reforms on the European and national levels. This article explores a number of solutions which could contribute to a more promising future prognosis, including legislation favouring families, improving infrastructure and funding care and education. Policies for migration, immigration and the ageing labour force are also lacking. The author's examples for each of these solutions centre on Germany, but the scope of the article is international.

In the face of demographic change there is an urgent need for financial, social and fiscal reforms. This article looks at Southern Europe, and the case of Spain in particular, for the efforts put forward to combat the challenges of demographic change. The author identifies innovative pension system reforms, public debt reduction and the extension of working life as top priorities. Reform in these areas is crucial if Europe is to ensure a dynamic economy in the future and avoid the pitfalls associated with looming demographic shifts.

Based on the draft report of the author to the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, on the future of social security systems and pensions: their financing and the trend towards individualisation. This article focuses on the demographic challenge and highlights its impact on social, financial and economic development. The labour market, pensions and healthcare development will also be emphasised.

The paper reviews recent demographic changes in Europe and puts particular focus on declining birth rates. It is argued that recent demographic patterns are largely driven by changing attitudes and a reorientation of values, but that lack of government support is an important reason why actual demographic behaviour varies across countries. Interestingly, new and modern forms of demographic behaviour, such as cohabitation, out-of-wedlock childbearing and divorce are also associated with higher birth rates, and it is argued that government support and the way welfare provision is organised play a crucial role.

Japan has one of the world's comparatively largest elderly populations. Over time, prevalent traditions of family care have declined while the need for such care, as more patients live to experience chronic and acute illnesses, increases. In order to manage these changes effectively, the Japanese government has experimented with different insurance and health care systems. The author explores long-term care insurance and new medical insurance systems that have been tried thus far with an eye towards their effectiveness and financial impact.

This article provides an overall survey of Europe's demographic patterns and statistics. It identifies economic progress, institutional modernisation, and development of the welfare state as factors contributing to fertility shifts and particularly to postponement of childbearing. The authors suggest Europe needs policies aimed at demographic renewal which focus first on diminishing direct costs borne by both parents and second, on diminishing indirect costs born predominantly by women. If Europe can effect the necessary paradigm shifts in gender roles and society it will prepare the way for holistic solutions.

While most analyses of demographic change focus solely on quantitative changes and accompanying predictions for the future, this article combines evidence of population quantity shifts with human capital quality shifts. That is, it examines the demographic debate in light of human capital and education. The author argues that if skilled individuals in a population are the ultimate resource ensuring sustainable development, it is of utmost importance to address declining levels of education. In sum, he advocates large investments in human capital formation as the key to managing the future.

Due to divergent fertility rates, the demographic gap between the US and Europe is steadily increasing. Despite significant regional variation, European fertility rates are currently well below replacement level. On the other side of the Atlantic, the continuing upsurge in fertility is definitely unique within the industrialised world. Demographers are quite perplexed by the exceptional American demographic pattern. The aim of this paper is, first, to examine the differing fertility patterns in the US and Europe; second, to identify possible explanatory factors behind the current divergence; and, finally, to present current challenges and future implications.

In the quest to address the ageing population, labour shortages and demographic decline, this article advocates the redistribution of work over the course of individuals’ lives. Work hours must be spread more evenly over a longer life span. In this way, individuals will have the time necessary to bear and rear children and will be able to offer their expertise later in life. With such a policy, the elderly population would be occupied and supportive of society and youth would have the opportunity to conceive and care for children during those years in which they are physically able to do so.

To cope with demographic ageing trends, the Dutch government has implemented a wide range of institutional reforms. With this, the government has targeted public finances, the risk-taking capacity of the economy and scarce human capital as its main areas of challenge. This paper details the most prominent reforms, looking particularly at social insurance, public pensions and health care. As reforms tighten eligibility criteria and reshape institutions it is to be hoped that the emphasis will shift to capitalise upon individuals’ capabilities rather than to focus on their handicaps.

The welfare state and old-age pensions are central pillars in modern societal and economic thought. Doubts about the future sustainability of the national pension system have prompted reforms which must contend with sensitive economic, demographic, social and political issues. This article reviews in depth the role of the state and private actors in pension systems. It suggests wider participation of the private sector in current pension systems coupled with well-considered policy regulation.

German population trends show continued demographic decline and ageing. This can be explained by changes in fertility, mortality and immigration rates. Low fertility leads to smaller numbers of infants every year, which, compounded by low mortality and, consequently, larger numbers of elderly, shifts the population ratio. Incoming migrants used to counterbalance this ratio but this is no longer sufficient to replace youth not born in Germany. This article explores direct and indirect policy solutions to the demographic changes on the state, societal and regional levels.

Providing care for the elderly requires particular coordination in Britain, where the seats of government at Westminster and Holyrood differ at times on the National Health Service's responsibilities. This article details the review of the implementation of the policy of Free Personal Care in Scotland published by the Scottish Government in April 2008, which focused on demographic projections and public funding. The Royal Commission found that demography projections were faulty and, consequently, public funding inadequate. It recommended stricter accountability as well as a longer term political vision. Only with a broader vision can the NHS plan for the changing nature of society and the inevitable consequences.

Rural agriculture uses more than one-third of the earth's land and employs more than 40% of the population, a figure that approaches 75% in developing countries. As a result, rural demographic change is of vital importance. This article monitors four driving factors in rural demographic change including the ratio of youth to the aged, the ratio of males to female, fertility levels and migration. Alongside conclusive findings, the authors bring to light the relevance of AIDS-related deaths, urbanisation, and city planning in demographic research.

Demographic changes must take centre stage on the European agenda if Europe wishes to prevent crippling long-term trends. The author proposes to combat European population decline and ageing, and their attendant evils, by means of the four policy shifts enumerated below. Domestically, Europe must target fertility and immigration. With higher fertility and encouragement of immigrant labour Europe could counterbalance the dearth of workforce and support threatened national identity. Internationally, Europe must build on its technological leadership and bolster political and economic development overseas. In this way Europe would ensure its central role in international development and solve issues at their roots before they escalate.

While the European Union recognises the importance of ageing and falling populations in a number of official documents, the findings require focus. In this article, the author first identifies the documents’ failure to name a target birth rate. Second, he stresses that the often mentioned fertility level of an average of 1.5 children per woman underestimates the real figure. Thirdly, he points out the futility of fertility policies when ageing processes will continue regardless of birth rate changes. In response, policies must be coordinated in a number of areas including gender policy, employment policy, immigration policy, housing policy, family policy and economic policy.

Demographic research generally highlights growing elderly populations as a drain on pensions, healthcare and caregivers. This negative point of view reflects a society which has yet to recognise the potential of the situation and adapt. Alongside ongoing efforts to increase lifespan and improve life quality, society and individuals must work to realise the opportunities rather than the perils of demographic change. Specifically, this article advocates care and rehabilitation of the elderly, enabling them to lead independent lives and to be active in society.

Unfortunately, an error in the authors’ affiliation occurred: instead of “Constantine Karamanlis Institute for Democracy” it should read “Constantinos Karamanlis Institute for Democracy”.