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Resolution 1864 (2012) Final version
Demographic trends in Europe: turning challenges into opportunities
1. The demography of Europe is changing.
This phenomenon affects all Council of Europe member States. Europeans
are living longer and having fewer children. With increasing mobility
and immigration, European societies are becoming more diverse and
immigrants are becoming an integral part of them.
2. Demographic trends in Europe must be seen in the global context
of population dynamics. In a world where population growth is associated
with economic growth and well-being, Europe has to urgently develop the
policies and strategies necessary to cope with changing demographics
in order to maintain its power and influence in the world. It is
important to transform demographic challenges into opportunities
so as to guarantee sustainable economic growth and international
security, and ensure that the values of democracy, human rights
and the rule of law remain relevant not only in Europe but in the
rest of the world.
3. On 31 October 2011, the world population reached a new milestone
of 7 billion people. Within the framework of a growing world population,
the current population of the Council of Europe area is 800 million, representing
about 12% of the world population. This figure is expected to drop
to about 9% by 2050. China will also see a fall in its population
while India will see a large increase. Within Europe, there is a
wide diversity in demographic trends, with Germany and Russia experiencing
population decline, and France and the United Kingdom experiencing
a boom in population, largely as a result of migration.
4. As the world’s population grows, it is also ageing, in particular
in developed countries. By 2050, the world population of those over
the age of 60 is projected to triple, reaching 2 billion people.
Europe has the highest proportion of older people and this will
remain so for decades, more than one third of Europe’s population
is expected to be over 60 by 2050. This will require major changes
in policy and attitudes towards age.
5. However, the Parliamentary Assembly remains concerned that
in a number of eastern European member States, low life expectancy
continues to be a problem, especially for men. Measures and policies
to decrease mortality in those countries will need to include measures
aimed at improving health systems and working conditions and reducing
daily stress, but also involve steps to convince people to adopt
healthier lifestyles.
6. People are the wealth of nations. Nonetheless, it is not only
the number of people that is important, it is also, and above all,
the skills, abilities and state of health of those people that count.
In 21st-century Europe, political goals should not be defined in
terms of population size, but rather in terms of “human capital”
available for producing the best possible quality of life for everyone.
Within this paradigm shift, Europe needs to invest more in its “human
capital” and improve citizens’ skills and opportunities in order
to make sure they are educated, equipped and integrated to take
on the challenges presented by an ever more globalised, and populated,
world.
7. With the best “human capital”, coupled with relevant experience,
Europe should be in a good position to lead revolutions in innovation
and technology. This is where its comparative advantage lies. This
will contribute to increased productivity and economic growth inside
Europe and also give the continent the ability to remain influential
in the rest of the world. By leading in these fields, Europe will
also be able to influence growth in developing countries such as
China and India.
8. Compared to other regions of the world, Europe still provides
a high quality of life, good education and social services for its
people. This should be maintained, especially in a context where
our countries are facing serious economic problems that require
the introduction of austerity measures. Such measures should be designed
with utmost care, as they may have significant and unintended consequences
for the future demographics of Europe.
9. Policies to improve the “human capital” in Europe should be
complemented with appropriate family policies that provide individuals
and families with an environment where they can freely organise
their lives and decide on the number of children they would like
to have. It is important to recognise that the decision whether or
not to have children is not taken in a social vacuum. Public policies
to enhance a family-friendly society, once introduced and sustained
over time, can have a positive impact on fertility rates.
10. The Assembly believes that migration, although not a permanent
solution to demographic challenges, can be a major asset. Migrants
need to be encouraged to be active citizens of their societies and
this is a two-way challenge involving migrants and their host communities.
The European labour market needs to attract qualified labour from
outside of Europe, but the need for external unskilled labour will
also remain high.
11. Social cohesion is an essential factor in guaranteeing the
conditions necessary for productivity and the well-being of people
in diverse societies. Economic growth, innovation and productivity
can only happen in societies that are socially coherent, respectful
and collaborative. For this reason, European governments must take
all necessary measures to promote diversity in their countries and
build on its positive effects.
12. The Assembly believes that one of the key strategies for coping
with a declining labour force is to increase participation rates
amongst traditionally lesser-used or excluded groups, such as women
and older people. The increasing participation of women has been
one of the most positive factors leading to growth in the European
work force and member States’ economies. However, substantial disparities
remain between countries in terms of participation of women. As
people live longer and healthier lives, older people have valuable
experience to transmit and can continue to be productive by participating
in the job market if they are provided with the right lifelong learning
opportunities.
13. The Assembly is aware that confronting the demographic challenge
will be a long-term task. This task can be fulfilled if Europe is
committed to promoting demographic renewal, higher rates of employment
and longer working lives of better qualified and more productive
workers. Europe also has to be open to receiving and integrating
migrants, and ensuring social cohesion, which includes ensuring
equity between generations and providing adequate social security.
14. In light of the above considerations, the Assembly calls on
the member States of the Council of Europe to:
14.1. take demographic changes into
account in their political choices by introducing the necessary policies
and developing strategies to cope with changing demographics;
14.2. introduce policies to provide the best education and training
opportunities to ensure the highest quality of “human capital”;
14.3. foster inter-generational solidarity and development,
in particular by:
14.3.1. promoting active ageing in such
a way as to make full use of the potential of older persons, including
their continued labour force participation;
14.3.2. promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all generations,
including on the professional and social use of new technologies;
14.3.3. combating age discrimination against both women and men,
by ensuring full access to training programmes and employment;
14.4. support science, innovation and technology in order to
increase productivity and contribute to economic growth;
14.5. encourage demographic renewal by:
14.5.1. developing
policies that help parents bring up their children, including financial
and fiscal measures;
14.5.2. developing policies that promote a better work-life balance,
including adequate arrangements for child care, and for supporting
elderly and/or frail people;
14.5.3. developing policies that reduce the economic precariousness
of young parents, combining flexibility and economic security (flexicurity);
14.6. promote integration and diversity by:
14.6.1. developing
policies which help to reduce migrant unemployment and make the
best use of the potential offered by migrants, in particular through
their participation in the social, economic, cultural and political
life of the host countries;
14.6.2. enhancing the atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance
between migrants and the population of the host country;
14.6.3. fostering policies aimed at integrating and increasing
the language skills and the educational level of migrants, their
children and, in particular, migrant women;
14.7. promote a more inclusive job market by:
14.7.1. enhancing
gender equality and equal opportunities, allowing women to fully
participate in economic and political life;
14.7.2. combating discrimination against women in society and
in employment.
15. The Assembly also invites relevant international organisations
to:
15.1. support member States and
other stakeholders in further developing active ageing and in raising awareness
of the need to mobilise the full potential of an ageing population
and to help combat age discrimination against both women and men;
15.2. exchange best practices on active ageing;
15.3. help to implement migration management systems which aim
to safeguard and enhance the rights of migrants and ensure their
active participation as equal citizens of their societies;
15.4. support member States in creating a database on demographic
trends, and ensure that this is kept up to date through ongoing
research and monitoring where necessary;
15.5. co-ordinate and facilitate comparative studies and the
exchange of information on these matters.