About: demographic change

Sofia conference highlights internet’s role in fighting depopulation

A good internet connection is more important than motorways and can make depopulated places in Europe more attractive to young people, said participants at a webinar organised by EURACTIV Bulgaria.

Lack of strategy leaves Bulgaria last in terms of digital performance

For a second consecutive year, Bulgaria is ranked last among all 27 EU members in the European Commission’s Digital Economy and Society Index, despite having a powerful IT sector, concentrated mostly in the capital Sofia.

Serbian democracy is under attack, indeed

The united front held by Serbia’s mainstream democratic opposition to boycott Vučić’s sham election at all levels is the only honorable and practical course of action, wrtites Vuk Jeremić.

Fairer EU research funding needed to halt brain drain: Croatia minister

Cash from the EU's research funds must be spread beyond the "old men's club" of prestigious institutions in richer member states to curb the brain drain exacerbating inequalities across the bloc, a Croatian minister said on Thursday (9 January).

Bozhidar Danev: Part of Bulgaria’s fuel sector lies in the grey economy

Unusually low fuel prices in Bulgaria are probably the result of cartels, or contraband, Bozhidar Danev told EURACTIV.com in an exclusive interview, saying the authorities have  so far been unable or unwilling to address the issue.

In 2018, expect the euro area economy to put on the brakes – but not for the reason you may think

The euro area economy has at last started to begin recovering convincingly from the past decade’s two recessions. But two big factors will moderate growth in 2018, writes Ilaria Maselli, citing the ageing workforce in Germany as being of particular concern.

Migration will be win-win for world, finds World Bank report

There is a clear win-win situation for the world, in both the medium and longer term, for more migration to happen, Philip Schellekens told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview on the day the World Bank published its Global Monitoring Report 2015-16.

World Bank: Migration can boost global prosperity

The large-scale migration of people from poor countries to richer ones will “reshape economic development for decades” but could help end extreme poverty and increase global prosperity if the flow is properly harnessed and regulated, according to the World Bank.

As Bulgaria empties, government struggles to dole out pension pot

The poorest country in the European Union enables some public sector workers to retire in their forties. Elena Yaneva hopes she won't be caught up in Bulgaria's pending pensions overhaul.

For sustainable agriculture, big is beautiful

The EU should 'think big' and face tomorrow’s challenge to feed the world sustainably, argue the presidents of the Dutch and Danish farm organisations. To do so, an EU business policy for the agro-food sector and common European standards for sustainable foods are very much needed, they write.

How to escape the intergenerational injustice trap in Europe’s aging societies

Politicians are likely to be influenced by the electorate’s demographic power structures. With European societies aging rapidly, how are policy makers going to overcome this bias? Invest tax revenues in intergenerational measures and allow parents to cast proxy votes for their children, says Daniel Schraad-Tischler.

French population to match Germany’s by 2055

The population of France is forecast to match that of Germany – currently the largest in Western Europe – by 2055, reports Carine Fourteau of Mediapart.

EU tables pensions plan, but it is ‘not ambitious enough’

The European Commission’s proposals on pensions presented yesterday (16 February) by the EU employment and social affairs chief, László Andor, was met by a flurry of criticism.

Can GPs save health care?

Gary Finnegan analyses a pessimistic report by the Economist Intelligence Unit on the future of health care in Europe.

Europe’s last chance

The moment is ripe for Europe to redefine its narrative in order to better cope with future challenges, writes Giles Merritt, editor of Europe's World and head of Brussels-based think-tank Friends of Europe and the Security & Defence Agenda.

EU liberal chief: There’s a way out of Europe’s immigration dilemma

Tackling demographic change is not only about choosing the right policy mix between raising the retirement age and accepting immigrants, but also fighting prejudice and building partnerships with Mediterranean countries, said Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, president of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform (ELDR) party, in an interview with EURACTIV.