EUROSTAT Demography Report 2010
COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT
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EUROSTAT Demography Report 2010
Since the last 2008 Demography Report was published in 2008, the EU population has passed the 500 million mark while continuing to develop along lines that were already discernible two years ago. The EU’s demographic picture has become clearer: growth is fuelled mainly by immigration, whereas the population is becoming older and more diverse.
The impact of the economic crisis is still difficult to assess.
In its October 2006 Communication entitled ‘The Demographic Future of Europe — from Challenge to Opportunity’, the Commission presented its views on the demographic challenges the EU was facing and on options for tackling them. The Communication expressed confidence in Europe’s ability to cope with demographic change and an ageing population in particular, but also stressed the need to act in five key policy areas: demographic renewal, employment, productivity, integration of migrants and sustainable public finances.
This third Demographic Report aims to provide the latest facts and figures that are needed for an informed debate on these issues. In addition to the EUlevel overview, data are provided as far as possible for each EU-27 Member State, enabling policy makers and stakeholders to compare their own country's situation with that of other Member States, to understand the specific characteristics of their country and, possibly, to identify other countries that could provide interesting experiences from which to learn.
This year the report is a joint undertaking between the Directorate General for ‘Employment, social affairs and inclusion’ and Eurostat, and draws on Eurostat's experience in demographic analysis. It consists of two parts, a short annex on migration in the recession and a country annex.
Part I looks at historical and recent trends in fertility, life expectancy and migration - the three drivers of population change. It includes a review of population structure by age and family composition.
Part II explores an increasingly important phenomenon that was identified in a recent Eurobarometer survey: the increasing number of European citizens who seek opportunities across national borders for study, work, life experience and inspiration, resulting in different forms of international connectedness across national borders.
