European regional populations: current trends, future pathways and policy options

TY - JOUR

T1 - European regional populations: current trends, future pathways and policy options

AU - Rees, P.H.

AU - van der Gaag, N.L.

AU - de Beer, J.A.A.

AU - Heins, F.

N1 - Reporting year: 2012

PY - 2012

Y1 - 2012

N2 - Europe is currently experiencing an ageing population and slowing population growth of both the total and working-age populations. These trends are likely to continue. Even though population ageing will affect all European regions, different regions will be affected in different ways. Even under favorable conditions, 35–40 % of all NUTS2 regions will face a labor force decline. If economic conditions are poor, some regions may continue to grow, but 55–70 % of the regions will see a labor force decline by 10 % or more. In most regions of Eastern Europe, the labor force may decrease by more than 30 %. To keep regions prosperous (maintaining competitiveness) and to avoid worse inequality (maintaining cohesion), policy-makers must find ways to cope with these challenges through new fiscal and social policies, though policies directly affecting demographic and migratory trends may also be needed.

AB - Europe is currently experiencing an ageing population and slowing population growth of both the total and working-age populations. These trends are likely to continue. Even though population ageing will affect all European regions, different regions will be affected in different ways. Even under favorable conditions, 35–40 % of all NUTS2 regions will face a labor force decline. If economic conditions are poor, some regions may continue to grow, but 55–70 % of the regions will see a labor force decline by 10 % or more. In most regions of Eastern Europe, the labor force may decrease by more than 30 %. To keep regions prosperous (maintaining competitiveness) and to avoid worse inequality (maintaining cohesion), policy-makers must find ways to cope with these challenges through new fiscal and social policies, though policies directly affecting demographic and migratory trends may also be needed.

U2 - 10.1007/s10680-012-9268-z

DO - 10.1007/s10680-012-9268-z

M3 - Article

VL - 28

SP - 385

EP - 416

JO - European Journal of Population - Revue Européenne de Population

JF - European Journal of Population - Revue Européenne de Population

SN - 0168-6577

IS - 4

ER -