Valentina Romei in London
With its low birth rate and fast-ageing population, Europe is facing a demographic crisis, one that economists fear could hit growth and public finances.
While the global population overall is getting older, Europe is an extreme example of this trend, particularly in the continent’s south and east, which have been hit by record-low fertility rates and emigration. An analysis of the main demographic trends highlights the challenge faced by policymakers.
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Europe has had higher longevity and lower fertility rates than the rest of the world over the past few decades. It is now the region with the world’s oldest population. The median age in Europe is 43, 12 years older than the rest of the world.
Related
The costs of a declining population (Robin Harding, Jan 14, 2020)
El reto demográfico sube de rango: estas son las claves del problema en España (Foro de Foros, enero 2020)