Europe faces demographic shift as population ages
Europe is experiencing rapid population ageing driven by declining birth rates and longer lifespans, while the share of working-age people shrinks.
Europe's population is ageing quickly, and this trend has been visible for a long time. Statistics have consistently pointed to processes that will continue to shape the continent in the years ahead. As a result, European societies will have to adapt to a reality that is fundamentally different from what they have known until now, as the existing social model becomes increasingly difficult to maintain.
A number of factors are behind this transformation. Fertility rates are falling, while life expectancy is rising. At the same time, the proportion of people of working age is decreasing, which puts additional pressure on social security systems and economies that rely on contributions from younger generations.
Beyond the practical challenges, deeper questions emerge. One concerns how people should use the extra time that longer lives provide. Another is how to ensure that this time is lived with dignity, with adequate social support and respect for individuals.
The article also raises a provocative question about whether Latvia is more threatened by migrants or by politicians who are dishonest and incompetent. No clear answer is given, leaving the matter open for debate.
