When EU citizens move towards western Europe in search of higher wages or better employment opportunities, it exacerbates population ageing and population loss in the EU countries they leave behind.
- In 2015, 54% of the EU's 508 million lived in western EU countries. With continued intra-EU mobility and immigration from third countries, this proportion will increase to almost 60% in 2060.
- As much as 4.1% of the population in Bulgaria and Romania moved to the EU15 between 2007 and 2009. If current trends continue, Romania could see a 30% loss in population size by 2060
- Policies targeting economic inequality between EU countries that lead to greater cohesion and integration can help the countries that are facing population decline, a loss of working-age population and population ageing.
Movement of workers towards wealthier EU countries speeds up aging and population decline in other EU countries.
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Demographic Scenarios for the EU - Migration, Population and Education
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Report: Demographic Scenarios for the EU - Migration, Population and Education
Facts4EUFuture - a series of reports for the future of Europe