Aging and demographic change in European societies : main trends and alternative policy options

This paper gives an overview on current demographic trends and projected population change in Europe and neighboring regions. The main focus of the analysis is on Western and Central Europe. Today this world region has a total population of 500 million. Available forecasts until the year 2050 project a decline of the population at working age, a subsequent decline of the (native) work force and aparallel increase in the number of retired people. The paper discusses policy options by demonstrating the impact of possible changes in labor force participation, higher retirement age and pro-active recruitment of migrant labor on population size and future labor force.