Demographic change in Europe

Demography tells the story of our lives. It is about how old we are likely to become, how we might lead our lives, and where we decide to live and work. Demographic change has a profound impact on our economies and societies. The fact that people across Europe live longer, healthier lives is a remarkable achievement and creates new opportunities in the longevity society that values the longer lifetime spent in older age, empowers older citizens, and nurtures the welfare and well-being of present and future generations alike. However, demographic change also brings some challenges. In the coming years, the shrinking and continued ageing of the EU population risks negatively impacting the EU's long-term competitiveness. Demographic change - if left unaddressed - may further exacerbate labour shortages. It also adds to certain risks of strategic dependencies and to the challenge of stagnating or declining productivity. In turn, an ageing population puts more pressure on public budgets. The EU's demographic transformation interacts with other global mega-trends, such as the green and digital transitions and can contribute to increasing territorial disparities within and between Member States. As outlined in the Demography Toolbox Communication of 11 October 2023, a comprehensive set of EU policy tools is available to support Member States and further actions are under way to address demographic challenges.1 In light of this, the European Commission's Secretariat-General commissioned a Flash Eurobarometer survey measuring EU citizens' views about current demographic trends. The survey covers the following topics: - EU citizens' assessment of demographic change and its impacts, including on the EU's prosperity and competitiveness - Perceptions about the most pressing demographic challenges in EU Member States and their impact on society and economy - Views about the most appropriate levels at which to tackle and manage demographic change - Policy actions perceived as most effective to address a shrinking workforce and population ageing in EU Member States.