New tools to manage demographic change in the EU

As Europe is going through a big demographic transformation, the European Commission has presented tools for Member States to manage its impacts on the EU's society and economy.

The tools include regulatory instruments, policy plans and funding, and can be combined with national and regional policies. The four main types of tools are:

1. supporting parents, notably by ensuring access to quality childcare and good work-life balance
2. empowering younger generations to thrive, develop their skills, facilitate their access to the labour market and to affordable housing
3. empowering older generations, through reforms combined with appropriate labour market and workplace policies
4. addressing labour shortages through managed legal migration

The toolbox comes on the same day as a new EU survey in which 7 in 10 Europeans said they agree that demographic trends put the EU's long-term economic prosperity and competitiveness at risk. Citizens expect joint action by the EU and their national governments to manage demographic change and its impacts.

For more information

The impact of demographic change

Eurobarometer report on demographic change in Europe

Press release: Commission sets out tools to manage demographic change in the EU

Factsheet on the new tools

A new push for European democracy