22.12.2023 nr 10.1-13/1209-1
Riina Sikkut
Terviseminister
Sotsiaalministeerium
Austatud minister
Edastame Teile Euroopa Komisjoni voliniku Dubravka Šuica 15.12.2023 kirja nr
Ares(2023)8689355.
(demography toolbox)
Lugupidamisega
Marten Kokk
Esinduse asejuht Coreper I küsimustes
Lisa: voliniku kiri 2 lk
trükis "Demographic Change in Europe: a toolbox for action"
Raili Lillemets ,
[email protected]
Rue Guimard 11/13 1040 Brussels Tel: +32 2 227 39 10
[email protected] https://eu.mfa.ee
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Report
Fieldwork:
September 2023
Publication:
October 2023
Survey requested by the European Commission, Secretariat-General and coordinated by the
Directorate-General for Communication
This document does not represent the point of view of the European Commission.
The interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors.
Flash Eurobarometer 534 – Ipsos European Public Affairs
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Report
September 2023
Survey conducted by Ipsos European Public Affairs at the request
of the European Commission, Secretariat-General
Survey coordinated by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication
(DG COMM “Media Monitoring and Eurobarometer” Unit)
Project title Flash Eurobarometer 534 – September 2023
Report
Linguistic version EN
Catalogue number KA-04-23-984-EN-N
ISBN 978-92-68-08170-9
doi:10.2792/202453
© European Union, 2023
https://europa.eu/eurobarometer
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Table of contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Key findings............................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Section 1. Demographic challenges in the EU ....................................................................................................................... 6
1.1. Impact of demographic change on the EU's prosperity and competitiveness .............................. 6
1.2. Current pressing demographic challenges ...................................................................................................... 10
1.3. Impact of current demographic trends ............................................................................................................. 14
Section 2. Managing demographic change........................................................................................................................... 18
2.1. Demographic change as a political priority .................................................................................................... 18
2.2. Cooperation between levels of government .................................................................................................. 20
Section 3. Actions to address a shrinking workforce and population ageing ................................................... 22
3.1. Actions to address a shrinking workforce ....................................................................................................... 22
3.2. Actions to enable active ageing ............................................................................................................................ 27
3.3. Role of digital technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence ......................................................... 32
Technical specifications................................................................................................................................................................... 34
Questionnaire ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 36
Data annex.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 39
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Introduction
Demography tells the story of our lives. It is about how old we are likely to become, how we might
lead our lives, and where we decide to live and work. Demographic change has a profound impact on
our economies and societies. The fact that people across Europe live longer, healthier lives is a
remarkable achievement and creates new opportunities in the longevity society that values the longer
lifetime spent in older age, empowers older citizens, and nurtures the welfare and well-being of
present and future generations alike.
However, demographic change also brings some challenges. In the coming years, the shrinking and
continued ageing of the EU population risks negatively impacting the EU’s long-term competitiveness.
Demographic change – if left unaddressed – may further exacerbate labour shortages. It also adds
to certain risks of strategic dependencies and to the challenge of stagnating or declining productivity.
In turn, an ageing population puts more pressure on public budgets. The EU’s demographic
transformation interacts with other global mega-trends, such as the green and digital transitions and
can contribute to increasing territorial disparities within and between Member States.
As outlined in the Demography Toolbox Communication of 11 October 2023, a comprehensive set of
EU policy tools is available to support Member States and further actions are under way to address
demographic challenges.1
In light of this, the European Commission's Secretariat-General commissioned a Flash Eurobarometer
survey measuring EU citizens' views about current demographic trends. The survey covers the
following topics:
EU citizens' assessment of demographic change and its impacts, including on the EU's prosperity
and competitiveness
Perceptions about the most pressing demographic challenges in EU Member States and their
impact on society and economy
Views about the most appropriate levels at which to tackle and manage demographic change
Policy actions perceived as most effective to address a shrinking workforce and population ageing
in EU Member States.
On behalf of the European Commission, Secretariat-General, Ipsos European Public Affairs
interviewed a representative sample of citizens, aged 15 and over, in each of the 27 Member States
of the European Union. Between 1 and 14 September 2023, 25 683 interviews were conducted over
the telephone (landline and mobile phones). Survey data are weighted to known population
proportions. The EU27 averages are weighted according to the size of the 15+ population of each EU
Member State. A technical note on the methods applied to conduct the survey is appended as an
annex to this report.
1
Source: https://commission.europa.eu/publications/communication-demographic-change-europe-toolbox-
action_en
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Notes:
1) The figures included in this report are statistically representative of the underlying population.
Survey results are subject to sampling tolerances meaning that not all apparent differences
between groups may be statistically significant. Thus, only differences that are statistically
significant (at the 5% level) – i.e. where it can be reasonably certain that they are unlikely to
have occurred by chance – are retained in the text.
2) Percentages may not add up to 100%, as they are rounded to the nearest percent. Due to
rounding, it may also happen that the percentages for separate response options shown in
the charts do not exactly add up to the totals shown in charts and tables or mentioned in the
text. Response percentages exceed 100% if the question allowed respondents to select
multiple responses.
3) In this report, countries are referred to by their official abbreviation. The abbreviations used
in this report correspond to:
BE Belgium LT Lithuania
BG Bulgaria LU Luxembourg
CZ Czechia HU Hungary
DK Denmark MT Malta
DE Germany NL Netherlands
EE Estonia AT Austria
IE Ireland PL Poland
EL Greece PT Portugal
ES Spain RO Romania
FR France SI Slovenia
HR Croatia SK Slovakia
IT Italy FI Finland
CY Rep. of Cyprus* SE Sweden
LV Latvia
* Cyprus as a whole is one of the 27 EU MS. However, the ‘acquis communautaire’ has been suspended
in the part of the country not controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus. For practical
reasons, interviews were only carried out in the part of the country controlled by the government of
the Republic of Cyprus.
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Key findings
EU Member States face different demographic challenges – as seen by their citizens
On average, across the EU, the two most pressing demographic challenges in EU Member
States are considered to be population ageing (42%) and a shrinking working-age
population and labour shortages (40%); these are followed by migration and integration
(34%), depopulation and brain drain (26%) and the declining fertility rate (21%). The
smallest share (9%) select the decline of the EU's share in the global population as a
pressing demographic challenge in their country.
As EU citizens see it, their countries face different demographic challenges:
in eight Member States, population ageing is the most-mentioned pressing demographic
challenge; this applies, for example, to Poland (57%), the Netherlands (56%) and Portugal (53%)
in Belgium (53%), Denmark (49%), Lithuania (48%), Romania (48%) and Ireland (37%), the
largest share of respondents select a shrinking working-age population and labour
shortages
migration and integration as a pressing demographic challenge is most mentioned in Germany
(53%), Luxembourg (53%), Cyprus (52%), Sweden (49%), Malta (47%) and Austria (41%)
in Hungary (58%), Slovakia (57%), Croatia (51%), Greece (51%) and Bulgaria (43%),
respondents most frequently select depopulation and brain drain
declining fertility rates are most-mentioned by respondents in Finland (57%), Latvia (45%)
and Estonia (42%).
EU citizens anticipate diverse impacts of current demographic trends
Majorities of EU citizens agree that the current demographic trends in the EU, such as
population ageing and a shrinking workforce:
put the EU's long-term economic prosperity and competitiveness at risk (69%)
contribute to labour shortages in the EU (67%)
undermine the long-term sustainability of public finances in the EU (67%)
intensify differences between and within EU Member States (65%)
contribute to skills mismatches in the EU (58%)
affect their prospects and future possibilities (54%).
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In most Member States, majorities agree with all of the impacts of demographic change
listed in the survey – from putting the EU's long-term prosperity at risk to contributing to skills
mismatches.
Although EU citizens agree that demographic change can undermine the EU’s
competitive edge, they do not rank it among their top three concerns. Out of a list of five
potential threats to the EU's economic prosperity and competitiveness, 60% of respondents select
geopolitical disruption (e.g. war or unfair global competition) as (one of) the most important
threats, 57% share this view about climate change and environmental degradation and
47% about social inequality. The threat of demographic change does rank higher than the
threat of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), which is selected by 29%.
EU citizens agree that managing demographic change is a priority for policy action
About one in two EU citizens (51%) think that managing demographic change (such as
population ageing and a shrinking workforce) should remain a political priority for policy
action both at EU and Member States level. This compares to 17% who believe that
managing demographic change should not remain a political priority. The remaining
respondents are split between 15% who say demographic change should remain a political
priority primarily at the EU level, and 15% at Member State level.
The proportion answering that managing demographic change should no longer be a political
priority remains a minority in all Member States (ranging from 9% in Portugal and Spain to
33% in Hungary). In 17 Member States, at least 50% of respondents think that managing
demographic change should remain a political priority for policy action both at the level of
the EU and of the Member States.
More than eight in ten respondents (85%) agree that managing demographic change
requires close cooperation between all relevant levels of government (EU, national,
regional and local authorities). At the individual country level, this figure varies between 76% in
Hungary and 92% in Spain.
EU citizens' opinions vary on the most appropriate policy actions to address
demographic change
To address the consequences of a shrinking workforce, EU citizens prefer the following
policy actions to be taken in their Member State – in order of importance:
addressing youth unemployment (61%)
facilitating the combination of paid work and private life, including parenting and
caring responsibilities (48%)
supporting regions affected by depopulation (37%)
facilitating labour mobility and migration to attract talent from abroad (36%)
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Demographic change in Europe
facilitating longer working lives, e.g. by lifelong learning and adapting working conditions
for older persons (29%)
reforming pension systems, e.g. lifting the retirement age and introducing flexible
retirement schemes (24%).
(Respondents were asked to select up to three actions, from a list of six.)
In 20 Member States, addressing youth unemployment is the most-cited action to address the
consequences of a shrinking workforce; the highest proportions selecting this response are found
in Cyprus (79%) and Spain (78%). In five Member States, facilitating the combination of paid
work and private life, including parenting and caring responsibilities is the most-
mentioned action: Poland (72%), Hungary (67%), Lithuania (63%), Slovakia (58%) and Czechia
(56%). In Denmark, respondents are most likely to mention facilitating longer working lives,
e.g. by lifelong learning and adapting working conditions for older persons, with 46% selecting
this action.
To enable active ageing, EU citizens prefer the following policy actions to be taken in
their Member State – in order of importance:
making sure pensions are high enough, but also remain affordable for future
generations (49%)
providing high-quality and affordable health care services (49%)
allowing people to continue working past the official retirement age if they want to (37%)
providing high-quality and affordable long-term care services (33%)
supporting lifelong education and training (32%)
providing for adequate and affordable housing (32%)
adjusting workplace conditions to the needs of older persons (26%).
(Respondents were asked to select up to three actions, from a list of seven.)
In a majority of the Member States, the two most-mentioned policy actions to enable
active ageing are making sure pensions are high enough, but also remain affordable for
future generations (selected by between 24% of respondents in Denmark and 62% in Croatia)
and providing high-quality and affordable health care services (selected by between 36%
of respondents in Germany and 74% in Lithuania).
Six in ten respondents (60%), in total, agree that digital technologies, robotics and
artificial intelligence can help address the consequences of a shrinking and ageing
population, including possible labour shortages. The level of agreement varies between 46%
in Bulgaria and 76% in the Netherlands.
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Section 1. Demographic challenges in the EU
1.1. Impact of demographic change on the EU's prosperity and
competitiveness
Respondents were presented with five potential threats to the EU's economic prosperity and
competitiveness. They were asked to select those threats (up to three out of five) that in their view
are the most important ones.
A majority of respondents (60%) select geopolitical disruption (e.g. war or unfair global
competition) as (one of) the most important threats to the EU's economic prosperity and
competitiveness and a slightly lower proportion (57%) share this view about climate change and
environmental degradation. Nearly one in two respondents (47%) think that social inequality is
among the most important threats to the EU's prosperity and competitiveness, followed by 37%
who think this about demographic change (e.g. population ageing, depopulation). Finally,
digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), as a threat to the EU's economic prosperity
and competitiveness are selected by the smallest share of respondents (29%).
In EU citizens' ranking of most important threats to the EU's prosperity and competitiveness
demographic change does not figure in the top three, however, it does rank higher than the threat of
digital technologies, including AI.
Q2 What do you consider to be the most important threats to the EU’s economic prosperity and
competitiveness? You can select up to three threats. (% EU27)
Geopolitical disruption (e.g. war or
unfair global competition)
60%
Climate change and environmental
degradation
57%
Social inequalities 47%
Demographic change (e.g. population
ageing, depopulation)
37%
Digital technologies, including artificial
intelligence
29%
Other [SPONTANEOUS] 2%
Don't know 1%
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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In 18 Member States, geopolitical disruption (e.g. war or unfair global competition) is the
most-mentioned threat to the EU's economic prosperity and competitiveness. Moreover, in all but
three Member States, a majority of respondents see geopolitical disruption as (one of) the most
important threats, with the highest proportions found in Cyprus and Finland (both 72%) and the lowest
in Croatia (43%), Malta (44%) and Ireland (49%).
Climate change and environmental degradation is the most-cited threat to the EU's economic
prosperity and competitiveness in five Member States: Malta (71%), France (64%), Germany (63%),
the Netherlands (61%) and Portugal (59%). In another 14 Member States, this threat is also selected
by at least 50% of respondents. In Latvia, on the other hand, just 29% of respondents see climate
change and environmental degradation as an important threat.
In Austria (61%), Luxembourg (61%) and Ireland (55%), the largest share of respondents select
social inequality as (one of) the most important threats to the EU's economic prosperity and
competitiveness. These countries are joined by Cyprus (59%), Portugal (58%) and Germany (57%)
with similar shares of respondents selecting this threat. The lowest share selecting social inequality
as a threat is observed in Poland (30%).
Demographic change (e.g. population ageing, depopulation) is the most-mentioned threat to the
EU's prosperity and competitiveness in just one country – Croatia (53%). This threat is also selected by
about half of respondents in Bulgaria (53%), Lithuania (53%), Portugal (50%), Estonia (49%) and Greece
(48%), although in these countries it is not the most-cited threat. In contrast, in Denmark (20%) and
Italy (22%), about one in five respondents share this view about demographic change.
In most Member States, the smallest share of respondents select digital technologies, including
artificial intelligence as (one of) the most important threats to the EU's prosperity and
competitiveness (from 16% in Finland to 37% in Ireland and Romania).
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Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Q2 What do you consider to be the most important threats to the EU’s economic prosperity and
competitiveness? You can select up to three threats. (% by country)
Geopolitical
disruption Climate change and Demographic change Digital technologies,
(e.g. war or unfair environmental (e.g. population ageing, including artificial
global competition) degradation Social inequalities depopulation) intelligence
EU27 60 57 47 37 29
BE 66 62 54 33 36
BG 59 43 48 53 22
CZ 66 46 41 35 21
DK 61 57 41 20 20
DE 53 63 57 38 30
EE 67 39 43 49 17
IE 49 50 55 35 37
EL 64 55 54 48 26
ES 63 53 48 46 28
FR 62 64 49 29 34
HR 43 41 39 53 24
IT 61 54 38 22 30
CY 72 51 59 44 33
LV 56 29 42 41 18
LT 69 39 46 53 21
LU 53 55 61 42 27
HU 55 54 42 42 22
MT 44 71 39 46 25
NL 54 61 49 32 35
AT 51 56 61 30 20
PL 68 45 30 47 26
PT 53 59 58 50 25
RO 59 55 48 47 37
SI 55 45 35 45 26
SK 70 50 47 44 22
FI 72 57 41 40 16
SE 71 67 42 28 31
The higher the proportion selecting a threat, the darker blue the cell. The most-frequently selected threat for
each country is shown in green.
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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Demographic change in Europe
Socio-demographic considerations
The socio-demographic analysis reveals that women are more likely than men to mention climate
change and environmental degradation (61% vs 52%) and social inequalities (49% vs 45%) as the
most important threats to the EU's prosperity and competitiveness. Men, on the other hand, are more
likely to select demographic change (e.g. population ageing, depopulation) (39% vs 35%).
The youngest respondents (aged 15-24) are more likely than their older counterparts to see climate
change and environmental degradation as (one of) the most important threats to the EU's prosperity
and competitiveness (63% vs 55%-56% of those in older age categories). Younger respondents,
however, are also somewhat less likely to mention demographic change (33% of 15-24 year-olds vs
38% of those aged 55 and over).
Both geopolitical disruption (e.g. war or unfair global competition) and demographic change (e.g.
population ageing, depopulation) are more frequently mentioned as important threats to the EU's
prosperity and competitiveness by higher educated respondents. For instance, 39% of those who
completed their education aged 20 or older mention demographic change compared to 32% of those
who left education aged 15 or younger.
Q2 What do you consider to be the most important threats to the EU’s economic prosperity and
competitiveness? You can select up to three threats. (% by socio-demographics)
Demographic
Geopolitical Climate change change Digital
disruption and (e.g. population technologies,
(e.g. war or unfair environmental Social ageing, including artificial
global competition) degradation inequalities depopulation) intelligence
EU27 60 57 47 37 29
Gender
Men 61 52 45 39 28
Women 60 61 49 35 30
Age
15-24 59 63 50 33 33
25-39 62 56 49 37 28
40-54 61 55 47 36 29
55+ 59 56 45 38 29
Education (age when completed)
Up to 15 56 58 47 32 30
16-19 57 55 48 35 31
20+ 62 57 46 39 28
Still studying 62 61 52 32 33
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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Demographic change in Europe
1.2. Current pressing demographic challenges
Respondents were also presented with a list of six specific demographic challenges, and they were
asked to select the most pressing ones for their Member State (respondents could be selected up to
two responses).
Population ageing (42%) and a shrinking working-age population and labour shortages
(40%) are selected most frequently as the two most pressing demographic challenges in
respondents' countries; these are followed by migration and integration (selected by 34% of
respondents). Smaller shares mention depopulation and brain drain (26%) and declining fertility
rates (21%) as pressing demographic challenges in their country. About one in ten respondents (9%)
mention the decline of the EU's share in the global population.
Q1 What do you consider the most pressing demographic challenge(s) in [YOUR COUNTRY]? You
can select two challenges. (% EU27)
Population ageing 42%
Shrinking working-age population and
labour shortages 40%
Migration and integration 34%
Depopulation and brain drain 26%
Declining fertility rates 21%
The decline of the EU’s share in the global
population 9%
Other [SPONTANEOUS] 2%
Don't know 2%
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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In eight Member States, population ageing is the most-mentioned pressing demographic challenge;
this applies, for example, to Poland (57%), the Netherlands (56%) and Portugal (53%). Only half as
many respondents select this challenge in Latvia (27%), and Austria and Luxembourg (both 28%).
In Belgium (53%), Denmark (49%), Lithuania (48%), Romania (48%) and Ireland (37%), the largest
share of respondents select a shrinking working-age population and labour shortages as (one
of) the most pressing demographic challenges in their country. The overall highest proportion
selecting this challenge, however, is observed in the Netherlands (55%). The lowest share mentioning
a shrinking working-age population and labour shortages is found in Malta (25%).
Migration and integration as a pressing demographic challenge is most mentioned in Germany
(53%), Luxembourg (53%), Cyprus (52%), Sweden (49%), Malta (47%) and Austria (41%). This
challenge is also selected by 50% of respondents in Belgium. In the remaining countries, the share
selecting this challenge ranges from 14% in Finland to 42% in the Netherlands.
In another five Member States, respondents most frequently select depopulation and brain drain:
Hungary (58%), Slovakia (57%), Croatia (51%), Greece (51%) and Bulgaria (43%). The share selecting
this demographic challenge is overall the lowest in Finland and Germany (both 11%).
Declining fertility rates is selected as (one of) the most pressing demographic challenges by 57%
of respondents in Finland, followed by more than 40% of respondents in Latvia (45%) and Estonia
(42%). In the remaining countries, this share tends to be lower and ranges from 7% in the Netherlands
to 35% in Spain.
In line with the EU average results, across most countries, the decline of the EU’s share in the
global population is selected by the smallest share of respondents (from 3% in Finland to 24% in
Luxembourg).
Q1 What do you consider the most pressing demographic challenge(s) in [YOUR COUNTRY]? You
can select two challenges. (Most mentioned demographic change per country)
57 56 58 57 57
53 51 53 53 53 52
49 48 48 49 51 51
47 45
43 41 41 41 43 42
38 37
PL NL PT ES SI CZ FR IT BE DK RO LT IE DE LU CY SE MT AT HU SK HR EL BG FI LV EE
Population ageing Shrinking working-age Migration Depopulation Declining
population and labour and integration and brain drain fertility rates
shortages
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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Demographic change in Europe
Q1 What do you consider the most pressing demographic challenge(s) in [YOUR COUNTRY]? You
can select two challenges. (% by country)
Shrinking
working-age The decline of
population and the EU’s share
Population labour Migration and Depopulation Declining in the global
ageing shortages integration and brain drain fertility rates population
EU27 42 40 34 26 21 9
BE 45 53 50 13 12 11
BG 37 38 30 43 23 4
CZ 41 39 30 24 23 10
DK 30 49 21 14 23 7
DE 35 46 53 11 8 10
EE 40 34 20 36 42 6
IE 35 37 31 29 21 14
EL 37 44 23 51 26 6
ES 51 28 21 45 35 4
FR 41 40 38 27 19 14
HR 36 35 27 51 13 5
IT 38 33 27 33 29 7
CY 29 38 52 31 32 10
LV 27 28 15 41 45 4
LT 36 48 23 40 25 8
LU 28 30 53 15 18 24
HU 39 31 18 58 15 7
MT 32 25 47 26 15 15
NL 56 55 42 12 7 10
AT 28 33 41 22 15 11
PL 57 43 18 14 29 7
PT 53 38 27 34 16 9
RO 44 48 30 26 23 9
SI 43 36 19 40 28 5
SK 33 36 20 57 32 6
FI 51 46 14 11 57 3
SE 29 48 49 25 10 9
The higher the proportion selecting a challenge, the darker blue the cell. The most-frequently selected
challenge for each country is shown in green.
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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Socio-demographic considerations
Differences across socio-demographic groups in perceptions about the most pressing demographic
challenges in EU Member States tend to be minor. The oldest respondents (aged 55 and over) are
slightly less likely to select a shrinking working-age population and labour shortages as one of the
two most pressing demographic challenges in their country (37% vs 42%-44% in younger age
categories). Higher educated respondents are more likely to mention population ageing: 44% of those
who completed their education aged 20 or older mention this as a pressing demographic challenge
compared to 40% of those who completed their education aged 16-19 and 36% of those who left
school aged 15 or younger.
Q1 What do you consider the most pressing demographic challenge(s) in [YOUR COUNTRY]?
You can select two challenges (% by socio-demographics)
Shrinking
working-age The decline of
population and the EU’s share
Population labour Migration and Depopulation Declining in the global
ageing shortages integration and brain drain fertility rates population
EU27 42 40 34 26 21 9
Gender
Men 40 40 34 27 21 9
Women 43 41 34 26 21 8
Age
15-24 41 42 36 26 20 9
25-39 43 44 33 27 21 8
40-54 42 42 34 26 21 9
55+ 41 37 34 26 22 9
Education (age when completed)
Up to 15 36 38 34 29 22 10
16-19 40 40 35 27 20 8
20+ 44 40 33 26 22 9
Still studying 42 43 36 26 19 9
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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1.3. Impact of current demographic trends
Majorities of respondents agree that the current demographic trends in the EU, such as
population ageing and a shrinking workforce (statements below are ranked from highest to
lowest total proportion agreeing):
put the EU's long-term economic prosperity and competitiveness at risk (27% ‘strongly
agree’ and 42% ‘rather agree’)
contribute to labour shortages in the EU (27% ‘strongly agree’ and 40% ‘rather agree’)
undermine the long-term sustainability of public finances in the EU (25% ‘strongly agree’
and 42% ‘rather agree’)
intensify differences between and within EU Member States (23% ‘strongly agree’ and
43% ‘rather agree’)
contribute to skills mismatches in the EU (17% ‘strongly agree’ and 40% ‘rather agree’)
affect their prospects and future possibilities (20% ‘strongly agree’ and 34% ‘rather agree’).
Q3 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the current
demographic trends in the EU, such as population ageing and a shrinking workforce?
(% by EU27)
The current demographic trends…
… put the EU's long-term economic
27 42 20 8 3
prosperity and competitiveness at risk
…contribute to labour shortages in the EU 27 40 19 11 3
…undermine the long-term sustainability of
25 42 18 8 6
public finances in the EU
...intensify differences between and within
23 43 22 7 6
EU Member States
…contribute to skills mismatches in the EU 17 40 24 11 7
...affect my prospects and future
20 34 26 17 3
possibilities
Strongly agree Rather agree Rather disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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Across all Member States, a majority of respondents 'strongly agree' or 'rather agree' that the current
demographic trends in the EU, such as population ageing and a shrinking workforce, put the EU's
long-term economic prosperity and competitiveness at risk. The total level of agreement varies
between 59% in Ireland and 80% in Croatia and Greece. Similarly, in all Member States, majorities
agree that the current demographic trends in the EU undermine the long-term sustainability of
public finances in the EU (from 51% in Austria to 80% in Greece) and intensify differences
between and within EU Member States (from 55% in Denmark to 79% in Croatia and Greece).
The highest shares of respondents 'strongly agreeing' or 'rather agreeing' that the current
demographic trends in the EU contribute to labour shortages in the EU are observed in Croatia
(79%), Finland and Greece (both 78%). In contrast, 49% of respondents agree with this statement in
Czechia. A similar variation in the proportion agreeing is seen for the statement that the current
demographic trends contribute to skills mismatches in the EU, varying between 47% in the
Netherlands and 73% in Romania.
In 19 Member States, more than half of respondents agree that the current demographic trends
affect their prospects and future possibilities, ranging from 52% in Ireland and Slovakia to 70%
in Greece. In the remaining countries, the total level of agreement for this statement varies between
40% in Denmark and 49% in Czechia.
The table on the following page shows that, in various countries, the various impacts of demographic
changes are considered likely by large majorities of respondents. This is the case, for example, in
Greece (between 70% and 80% of ‘agreement’ across the impacts listed in the survey) and Romania
(between 68% and 73% of ‘agreement’). In some other countries, however, there is a large variation
in perceptions about the possible impacts of demographic change. In the Netherlands, for example,
74% agree that the current demographic trends in the EU intensify differences between and within
EU Member States and 72% agree that these trends contribute to labour shortages in the EU,
compared to just 43% agreeing that there will be an impact on their prospects and future possibilities.
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Q3 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the current
demographic trends in the EU, such as population ageing and a shrinking workforce?
(% Total 'agree' by country)
The current demographic trends….
…put the EU's
long-term …undermine the ...intensify
economic long-term differences …contribute to ...affect my
prosperity and …contribute to sustainability of between and skills prospects and
competitiveness labour shortages public finances within EU mismatches in future
at risk in the EU in the EU Member States the EU possibilities
EU27 69 67 67 65 58 54
BE 69 67 69 63 57 61
BG 73 72 65 75 67 59
CZ 70 49 70 58 53 49
DK 68 60 58 55 55 40
DE 66 66 57 60 52 45
EE 69 68 66 67 57 46
IE 59 68 60 66 55 52
EL 80 78 80 79 70 70
ES 76 70 76 71 70 66
FR 62 56 61 65 50 41
HR 80 79 76 79 71 64
IT 71 71 76 59 58 62
CY 75 68 74 77 56 58
LV 75 74 65 70 51 56
LT 70 77 66 67 72 55
LU 73 52 77 68 60 55
HU 62 62 55 62 57 65
MT 69 65 67 70 61 59
NL 67 72 59 74 46 43
AT 63 59 51 57 58 43
PL 69 77 75 66 55 60
PT 74 68 73 78 60 59
RO 75 76 70 73 73 68
SI 77 74 76 74 65 56
SK 68 67 74 71 60 52
FI 71 78 78 64 68 55
SE 70 62 67 63 63 43
The higher the proportion Total 'agree', the darker blue the cell. The statement with the highest proportion
Total 'agree' for each country is shown in green.
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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Demographic change in Europe
Socio-demographic considerations
Opinions about current demographic trends in the EU do not differ much by gender, but some
differences exist across age groups and by level of education.
For example, the proportion 'strongly agreeing' or 'rather agreeing' that current demographic trends
undermine the long-term sustainability of public finances in the EU is highest for those aged 15-24
(71%) and is the lowest for those aged 55 and over (65%). Similarly, the total proportion agreeing
that current demographic trends affect their prospects and future possibilities is highest for those
aged 15-24 (61%) and then decreased to 50% of those aged 55 and over. Agreement with this
statement is also lower among highly educated respondents (50% of those who left education aged
20 or older), as opposed to those who left school at ages 16-19 (57%) or 15 or younger (56%).
Q3 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the current
demographic trends in the EU, such as population ageing and a shrinking workforce?
(% Total 'agree' by socio-demographic)
The current demographic trends…
…put the EU's …undermine the
long-term long-term ...intensify
economic …contribute to sustainability differences …contribute to ...affect my
prosperity and labour of public between and skills prospects and
competitiveness shortages in finances in the within EU mismatches in future
at risk the EU EU Member States the EU possibilities
EU27 69 67 67 65 58 54
Gender
Men 70 68 69 65 59 54
Women 68 67 66 65 57 54
Age
15-24 69 68 71 67 58 61
25-39 70 69 67 64 57 56
40-54 70 68 68 64 59 54
55+ 68 65 65 66 57 50
Education (age when completed)
Up to 15 70 66 67 61 59 59
16-19 68 66 67 65 60 57
20+ 69 68 67 65 57 50
Still studying 70 70 70 71 53 60
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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Demographic change in Europe
Section 2. Managing demographic change
2.1. Demographic change as a political priority
About one in two respondents (51%), on average, think that managing demographic change
(such as population ageing and a shrinking workforce) should remain a political priority for policy
action both at EU and Member States level. This compares to a much smaller proportion of
17% who believe that managing demographic change should not remain a political priority. The
remaining respondents are split between 15% who say demographic change should remain a political
priority primarily at the EU level and 15% at Member State level. In total, 81% of respondents agree
that managing demographic change should remain a political priority in some form.
The individual country results show that, in 17 Member States, at least 50% of respondents think
that managing demographic change should remain a political priority for policy action both at
the level of the EU and of the Member States. The highest proportions sharing this view are found
in Spain (71%), and Greece and Portugal (both 68%), while the lowest ones are observed in Luxembourg
(35%), Austria (36%) and Germany (37%).
In Luxembourg (22%) and Germany (29%), respondents are somewhat more likely to say that
managing demographic change should remain a political priority for policy action primarily at the EU
level. In Denmark (24%), Czechia (25%) and Austria (26%), about a quarter of respondents answer
that the primary level for policy action lays in the Member States.
By contrast, across all countries, a minority of respondents answer that managing demographic
change should not remain a political priority for policy action (from 9% in Portugal and Spain
to 30% in Italy and 33% in Hungary).
Q4 Should managing demographic change (such as population ageing and a shrinking workforce)
remain a political priority for policy action? (% by country)
Yes, both at EU and Member State levels Yes, at EU level primarily
Yes, at Member State level primarily No, it should not remain a political priority for policy action
Don't know
2 4 1 2 5 2 2 1 2 3 2 3 3 4 5 3 2 2 7 5 3 4 0 3 2 3 4 2
9 10 14 15 12 18 18 14 16 17 17 30 33 21
9 12 16 17 20 17 16 14 11 18 23 16 18
16
9 5 13
11 13 13 19 21 19
17 12 14 20 15 22 15 25 24 15
14 10 19 26 20
14 12 22
9 12
8
13 15
11 11 14
9 8 13 12 15 17 18 29
71 9 12 13
68 68 7 8 12
6 9 12 22
61 60 59 8 17
58 57 10
55 54 54 54 53 52 51 51 51 50 49 49 48 48 46 44
40
37 36 35
ES PT EL CY LV BE SE SK RO BG PL FI FR SI MT HR EU27 CZ IE DK NL LT IT EE HU DE AT LU
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)Socio-demographic considerations
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Demographic change in Europe
The highest educated respondents are more likely to share the view that managing demographic
change (such as population ageing and a shrinking workforce) should remain a political priority for
policy action both at EU and Member State level (54% of respondents who completed their education
aged 20 or older share this view vs 46% of those who completed their education aged 16-19 and
47% of those who left school aged 15 or younger). In contrast, lower educated respondents are more
likely to either think that demographic change should not remain a political priority (21% of those
who left school aged 15 or younger and 20% for those who completed their education aged 16-20
vs 15% for those who have completed their education aged 20 or older) or that it should remain a
priority at EU level primarily (17%-18% vs 13%, respectively).
Differences in terms of gender and age tend to be minor and do not reach statistical significance.
Q4 Should managing demographic change (such as population ageing and a shrinking workforce)
remain a political priority for policy action? (% by socio-demographics)
Gender (%)
Male 50 15 16 17
Female 52 15 14 17 Education (age when completed) (%)
Up to 15 years 47 17 13 21
Age (%) 16-19 years 46 18 14 20
20+ years 54 13 16 15
15-24 50 14 15 19
Still studying 54 13 17 15
25-39 52 15 16 16
40-54 54 13 14 17
55+ 49 16 15 17
Yes, both at EU and Member State levels
Yes, at EU level primarily
Yes, at Member State level primarily
No, it should not remain a political priority for policy action
Don't know
Proportions not shown for "Don't know" (<5%)
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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Demographic change in Europe
2.2. Cooperation between levels of government
On average, across the EU, more than eight in ten respondents, in total, agree that managing
demographic change requires close cooperation between all relevant levels of government
(e.g. EU, national, regional and local authorities). The proportion 'strongly agreeing' is 50%, compared
to a smaller share of 36% who 'rather agree' with this statement.
In all Member States, a vast majority of respondents 'strongly agree' or 'rather agree' that
managing demographic change requires close cooperation between all relevant levels of
government. The total level of agreement varies between 76% in Hungary and 92% in Spain. The
highest shares 'strongly agreeing' are observed in Bulgaria (61%), Lithuania (61%), the Netherlands
(62%), Cyprus (63%), Spain (63%), Greece (64%) and Ireland (64%).
Q5 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement:
“Managing demographic change requires close cooperation between all relevant
levels of government (e.g. EU, national, regional and local authorities)”?
(% by country)
Strongly agree Rather agree Rather disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
1 1 1 2 2 1 4 0 2 4 2 2 3 1 2 2 0 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 5 2 2
4 3 5 6 3 4 6 4 3 5 5 8 3 5 9 4 4 6 6 5 7 6 6 6 9
0 0 5
3 5 4 5 6 7 5 5 7 8 7 9 8 9
2 6 5 7 6 8 8 9 8 11 10 15
9 14
29 37 27 37 37 29 34 26 27 47 37 31 24 35 50 25 37 30 36 33 36 36 39 41 37 36 41 34
63 64 61 64 63 62 61
54 55 56 55
53 52 51 52 52
49 49 50 48
44 45 45
41 41 42
36 37
ES SI IE LU LV LT MT EL CY PT EE HR NL RO FI BG IT PL SK BE EU27 AT FR DE SE DK CZ HU
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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Socio-demographic considerations
Respondents who completed their education aged 20 or older (52%) are more likely than respondents
with lower levels of education (47%) to 'strongly agree' that managing demographic change requires
close cooperation between all relevant levels of government. The proportion 'strongly agreeing',
however, is overall the lowest for respondents aged 15-24 (43% vs 50%-51% for older respondents);
these youngest respondents are more likely to 'rather agree' with the statement (45% vs 34%-35%
for older respondents).
Q5 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement:
“Managing demographic change requires close cooperation between all relevant
levels of government (e.g. EU, national, regional and local authorities)”?
(% by socio-demographics)
Gender (%)
Male 50 35 8 6
Female 49 37 8 5 Education (age when completed) (%)
Up to 15 years 47 34 8 9
Age (%) 16-19 years 47 37 8 7
15-24 43 45 74 20+ years 52 34 8 5
25-39 Still studying 45 45 73
50 35 9 5
40-54 50 34 9 6
55+ 51 34 7 6
Strongly agree Rather agree Rather disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
Proportions not shown for "Don't know" (<5%)
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Section 3. Actions to address a shrinking workforce and
population ageing
3.1. Actions to address a shrinking workforce
Respondents were then asked which actions they consider the most effective to address the
consequences of a shrinking workforce in their country. They were asked to select up to three actions
from a list of six.
About six in ten respondents (61%) believe that addressing youth unemployment is (one
of) the most effective actions to address the consequences of a shrinking workforce in
their country.About one in two respondents (48%) mention facilitating the combination of paid
work and private life, including parenting and caring responsibilities.
The next two actions are mentioned by more than a third of respondents:
supporting regions affected by depopulation (37%)
facilitating labour mobility and migration to attract talent from abroad (36%).
About three in ten respondents (29%) select facilitating longer working lives, e.g. by lifelong
learning and adapting working conditions for older persons as (one of) the most effective
actions.
The smallest share (24%) mention reforming pension systems, e.g. lifting the retirement age
and introducing flexible retirement schemes.
Q6 Which of the following actions would you consider most effective to address the
consequences of a shrinking workforce in [YOUR COUNTRY]? You can select three actions.
(% EU27)
Addressing youth unemployment 61%
Facilitating the combination of paid work and private life,
including parenting and caring responsibilities 48%
Supporting regions affected by depopulation 37%
Facilitating labour mobility and migration
to attract talent from abroad
36%
Facilitating longer working lives, e.g. by lifelong learning
and adapting working conditions for older persons
29%
Reforming pensions systems, e.g. lifting the retirement
age and introducing flexible retirement schemes
24%
Other [SPONTANEOUS] 2%
Don't know 1%
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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In 20 Member States, addressing youth unemployment is the most-cited action to address the
consequences of a shrinking workforce. The highest proportions selecting this response are found in
Cyprus (79%) and Spain (78%), while the lowest one is seen in Denmark (42%).
Q6 Which of the following actions would you consider most effective to address the
consequences of a shrinking workforce in [YOUR COUNTRY]? You can select three actions.
Addressing youth unemployment (% by country)
79 78
75
72
68 68 67 65 65 64 62 61 61
58 58 57 57 57 57 55 55 53 51
46 45 45 44 42
CY ES BE EL LU RO FI FR HR BG SE EU27 IT NL AT DE LV PT SI EE SK LT MT HU CZ IE PL DK
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
In Denmark, the most-cited action is facilitating longer working lives, e.g. by lifelong learning
and adapting working conditions for older persons, with 46% selecting this action. This action
is also cited by 46% of respondents in Belgium, although in Belgium it is not the most-mentioned
action. (46%). The lowest proportion selection this section is seen in Italy (11%), followed by Croatia
(18%), Spain (20%) and Portugal (21%).
In five Member States, facilitating the combination of paid work and private life, including
parenting and caring responsibilities is the most-mentioned action to address the consequences
of a shrinking workforce: Poland (72%), Hungary (67%), Lithuania (63%), Slovakia (58%) and Czechia
(56%). In the other Member States, the share of respondents choosing this action varies between
30% in Latvia and 60% in Spain.
Q6 Which of the following actions would you consider most effective to address the
consequences of a shrinking workforce in [YOUR COUNTRY]? You can select three actions.
Facilitating the combination of paid work and private life, including parenting and
caring responsibilities (% by country)
72
67
63
60 58 56 56 56
53 52 52
49 49 48 48 47 47 47 46 45 45 44 43
38 37
34 33
30
PL HU LT ES SK CZ CY NL RO BE PT MT AT EU27 FR EE EL FI LU SI SE BG IE IT DK DE HR LV
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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Demographic change in Europe
A majority of respondents In Bulgaria (56%) and Slovakia (54%) mention supporting regions
affected by depopulation as (one of) the most effective actions to address the consequences of a
shrinking workforce in their country. In the other Member States, this proportion varies between 23%
in Italy and 50% in Greece.
Finland has the highest proportion (54%) selecting facilitating labour mobility and migration to
attract talent from abroad as (one of) the most effective actions to address the consequences of
a shrinking workforce in their country. Hungary, on the other hand, has the lowest proportion for this
policy action (16%).
In a majority of the Member States, respondents are the least likely to select reforming pension
systems, such as lifting the retirement age and introducing a flexible retirement scheme,
as (one of) the most effective actions to address the shrinking workforce. The proportion selecting
this action ranges from 11% in Lithuania to 38% in Ireland.
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Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Q6 Which of the following actions would you consider most effective to address the
consequences of a shrinking workforce in [YOUR COUNTRY]? You can select three actions.
(% by country)
Reforming
Facilitating the Facilitating pensions
combination of longer working systems, e.g.
paid work and Facilitating lives, e.g. by lifting the
private life, labour mobility lifelong learning retirement age and
Addressing including parenting Supporting and migration to and adapting introducing flexible
youth and caring regions affected attract talent working conditions retirement
unemployment responsibilities by depopulation from abroad for older persons schemes
EU27 61 48 37 36 29 24
BE 75 52 29 33 46 29
BG 64 44 56 25 26 23
CZ 45 56 41 30 34 34
DK 42 37 29 44 46 19
DE 57 34 37 49 30 35
EE 55 47 48 35 40 18
IE 45 43 36 45 42 38
EL 72 47 50 30 27 28
ES 78 60 48 28 20 17
FR 65 48 40 34 41 15
HR 65 33 43 20 18 21
IT 61 38 23 37 11 22
CY 79 56 45 22 30 30
LV 57 30 49 25 28 12
LT 53 63 47 33 37 11
LU 68 46 42 50 35 27
HU 46 67 36 16 28 20
MT 51 49 26 35 34 33
NL 58 56 33 38 35 22
AT 58 49 28 31 36 18
PL 44 72 31 27 30 29
PT 57 52 46 37 21 15
RO 68 53 48 29 32 23
SI 57 45 30 29 24 24
SK 55 58 54 37 27 21
FI 67 47 30 54 29 19
SE 62 45 37 44 37 23
The higher the proportion selecting an action, the darker blue the cell. The most-frequently selected action
for each country is shown in green.
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Socio-demographic considerations
Women are more likely than men to select addressing youth unemployment as (one of) the most
effective actions to address the consequences of a shrinking workforce (63% vs 59%), as well as
facilitating the combination of paid work and private life, including parenting and caring
responsibilities (52% vs 45%). On the other hand, men are more likely to mention facilitating labour
mobility and migration to attract talent from abroad as an effective action (38% vs 34%).
Younger respondents are more inclined than older ones to mention addressing youth unemployment
as (one of) the most effective actions to address the consequences of a shrinking workforce: 64% of
those aged 15-24 and 63% of those aged 25-39 select this action compared to 59% of those aged
40-54 and 60% of those aged 55 or above. Those aged 15-24 are also more likely to mention
facilitating labour mobility and migration to attract talent from abroad (42% vs 33%-36% in the
older age categories). Respondents aged 25-39 (55%) or aged 40-54 (53%), in turn, are more likely
to select facilitating the combination of paid work and private life, including parenting and caring
responsibilities (compared to 46% of those aged 15-24 and 43% of those aged 55 or above).
Q6 Which of the following actions would you consider most effective to address the
consequences of a shrinking workforce in [YOUR COUNTRY]? You can select three actions.
(% by socio-demographics)
Reforming
Facilitating the Facilitating pensions
combination of longer working systems, e.g.
paid work and Facilitating
lives, e.g. by lifting the
private life, labour mobility lifelong learning retirement age
including Supporting and migration and adapting and introducing
Addressing parenting and regions to attract working flexible
youth caring affected by talent from conditions for retirement
unemployment responsibilities depopulation abroad older persons schemes
EU27 61 48 37 36 29 24
Gender
Men 59 45 37 38 29 25
Women 63 52 38 34 29 23
Age
15-24 64 46 36 42 30 26
25-39 63 55 36 36 29 23
40-54 59 53 39 37 29 22
55+ 60 43 38 33 29 25
Education (age when completed)
Up to 15 62 41 38 29 25 23
16-19 62 46 38 32 26 23
20+ 60 51 38 37 31 24
Still studying 64 50 33 44 29 25
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Finally, policy actions more frequently selected by respondents who completed their education aged
20 or older are: facilitating the combination of paid work and private life, including parenting and
caring responsibilities (51% vs 42%-46% of those who left education at a younger age), facilitating
labour mobility and migration to attract talent from abroad (37% vs 29%-32%) and facilitating longer
working lives, e.g. by lifelong learning and adapting working conditions for older persons (31% vs
25%-26%).
3.2. Actions to enable active ageing
Respondents were explained that in 2021, the life expectancy at birth in the EU was 80.1 years. Given
that people are expected to live longer, they were presented with seven actions that the government
in their country could take to enable them and future generations to lead an active life in old age.
They were asked to select up to three actions they believe their government should take.
Two of the actions to enable active ageing are selected by about half of respondents:
making sure pensions are high enough, but also remain affordable for future
generations (49%)
providing high-quality and affordable health care services (49%)
The above-mentioned actions are followed by 'allowing people to continue working past the
official retirement age if they want to' (selected by 37%).
About one in three respondents mention:
providing high-quality and affordable long-term care services (33%)
supporting lifelong education and training (32%)
providing for adequate and affordable housing (32%).
About one in four respondents (26%) select 'adjusting workplace conditions to the needs of
older persons' as an action that their government should take to enable them and future generations
to lead an active life in old age.
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Q7 In 2021, the life expectancy at birth in the EU was 80.1 years. As people are expected to live
longer, which of the following actions should the government in [YOUR COUNTRY] take to
enable you and future generations to lead an active life in old age? You can select three
actions. (% EU27)
Making sure pensions are high enough, but also
remain affordable for future generations 49%
Providing high-quality and affordable health care
services 49%
Allowing people to continue working past the
official retirement age if they want to 37%
Providing high-quality and affordable long-term
care services 33%
Supporting lifelong education and training 32%
Providing for adequate and affordable housing 32%
Adjusting workplace conditions to the needs of
older persons 26%
Other [SPONTANEOUS] 2%
Don't know 1%
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
In 16 Member States, providing high-quality and affordable health care services is the most-
mentioned action that governments should take to enable respondents and future generations to lead
an active life in old age. In a majority of the Member States, at least 50% mention this action, ranging
from 50% in Malta and Slovenia to 74% in Lithuania. In the remaining countries, this figure varies
between 36% in Germany and 47% in Cyprus and France.
Q7 In 2021, the life expectancy at birth in the EU was 80.1 years. As people are expected to live
longer, which of the following actions should the government in [YOUR COUNTRY] take to
enable you and future generations to lead an active life in old age? You can select three
actions.
Providing high-quality and affordable health care services (% by country)
74
69 68 67 66 66
63 62 61 60 60 58
55 53 53 52 50 50 49 47 47 46 45
40 40 39 39
36
LT BG EL SK HU RO FI LV SE EE PT PL BE CZ ES HR MT SI EU27 FR CY IE NL DK IT LU AT DE
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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In seven Member States, the most-mentioned action to enable active ageing is making sure
pensions are high enough but also remain affordable for future generations. This action is
mentioned by 62% of respondents in Croatia and 61% in Cyprus (the highest proportions), compared
to 24% in Denmark and 25% in Luxembourg (the lowest proportions).
Q7 In 2021, the life expectancy at birth in the EU was 80.1 years. As people are expected to live
longer, which of the following actions should the government in [YOUR COUNTRY] take to
enable you and future generations to lead an active life in old age? You can select three
actions.
Making sure pensions are high enough, but also remain affordable for future
generations (% by country)
62 61
58 57 55 55 54 54 53 53 52 51 51 50 49 49 49 48 47 46 45
42 41 40 40 38
25 24
HR CY SK ES BG EL BE SI LT HU LV FR RO EE EU27 DE SE IT MT CZ PL NL FI IE AT PT LU DK
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
In Austria (52%), Denmark (52%) and the Netherlands (46%), the largest share of respondents
mention allowing people to continue working past the official retirement age if they want
to as an action their government should take to enable them and future generations to lead an active
life in old age. These countries are joined by Sweden (55%) and Poland (50%). In contrast, Italy is
found at the bottom of the country ranking, with 21% selection this action.
In Luxembourg, respondents are overall the most likely to select providing high-quality and
affordable long-term care services as an action their government should take to enable active
ageing (52% select this action). In the other Member States, this proportion varies between 19% in
Austria and 42% in Cyprus and Romania.
The proportion mentioning support for lifelong education and training as an action their
government should take to enable an active life in old age is also the highest in Luxembourg (44%);
the lowest share selecting this action is found in Slovenia (17%). Similar figures are seen for the
actions of providing for adequate and affordable housing (varying between 16% in Bulgaria and
44% in Cyprus and Luxembourg) and adjusting workplace conditions to the needs of older
persons (varying between 15% in Hungary and Italy and 41% in Denmark).
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Q7 In 2021, the life expectancy at birth in the EU was 80.1 years. As people are expected to live
longer, which of the following actions should the government in [YOUR COUNTRY] take to
enable you and future generations to lead an active life in old age? You can select three
actions. (% by country)
Making sure
pensions are Allowing people
high enough, Providing high- to continue Providing high- Adjusting
but also remain quality and working past quality and Supporting Providing for workplace
affordable for affordable the official affordable lifelong adequate and conditions to
future health care retirement age long-term care education and affordable the needs of
generations services if they want to services training housing older persons
EU27 49 49 37 33 32 32 26
BE 54 55 40 38 31 37 28
BG 55 69 31 26 38 16 21
CZ 46 53 39 30 28 39 23
DK 24 40 52 25 28 31 41
DE 49 36 45 21 40 36 39
EE 50 60 44 35 32 23 26
IE 40 46 40 41 37 34 28
EL 55 68 30 39 21 33 22
ES 57 53 31 37 31 36 20
FR 51 47 35 36 39 30 26
HR 62 52 35 30 19 27 20
IT 48 40 21 39 28 20 15
CY 61 47 31 42 30 44 24
LV 52 62 31 26 25 27 21
LT 53 74 38 29 25 24 26
LU 25 39 39 52 44 44 40
HU 53 66 24 29 20 43 15
MT 47 50 42 34 33 30 17
NL 42 45 46 33 27 43 36
AT 40 39 52 19 32 30 35
PL 45 58 50 38 22 26 22
PT 38 60 22 37 40 38 27
RO 51 66 28 42 26 34 25
SI 54 50 33 40 17 39 20
SK 58 67 31 35 24 36 23
FI 41 63 46 26 33 31 27
SE 49 61 55 23 32 29 20
The higher the proportion selecting an action, the darker blue the cell. The most-frequently selected action
for each country is shown in green.
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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Socio-demographic considerations
Women are slightly more likely than men to mention making sure pensions are high enough but also
remain affordable for future generations (51% vs 47%), providing high-quality and affordable health
care services (51% vs 47%), providing high-quality and affordable long-term care services (34% vs
31%) and providing for adequate and affordable housing (33% vs 30%) as actions their government
should take to enable them and future generations to lead an active life in old age. Men, in turn, are
slightly more likely to select allowing people to continue working past the official retirement age if
they want to (38% vs 36%).
Younger respondents are more likely to mention supporting lifelong education and training (35%-
36% of those aged 15-39 vs 29% of those aged 55 or above) and providing for adequate and
affordable housing (37% vs 28%) as actions their government should take to enable active living in
old age. Allowing people to continue working past the official retirement age if they want to is somewhat
more frequently selected by respondents aged 55 and over (39% vs 34%-36% in other age groups)
and adjusting workplace conditions to the needs of older persons by respondents aged 40-54 (28% vs
24%-26% in other age groups).
Q7 In 2021, the life expectancy at birth in the EU was 80.1 years. As people are expected to live
longer, which of the following actions should the government in [YOUR COUNTRY] take to
enable you and future generations to lead an active life in old age? You can select three
actions. (% by socio-demographics)
Making sure Allowing
pensions are people to
high enough, Providing continue Providing Adjusting
but also high-quality working past high-quality Providing for workplace
remain and the official and Supporting adequate conditions to
affordable affordable retirement affordable lifelong and the needs of
for future health care age if they long-term education affordable older
generations services want to care services and training housing persons
EU27 49 49 37 33 32 32 26
Gender
Men 47 47 38 31 32 30 26
Women 51 51 36 34 32 33 26
Age
15-24 49 48 35 31 35 37 26
25-39 47 50 34 33 36 37 24
40-54 50 50 36 33 32 29 28
55+ 50 48 39 33 29 28 26
Education (age when completed)
Up to 15 53 45 31 32 29 35 24
16-19 50 46 35 33 29 35 26
20+ 48 51 39 33 33 29 26
Still studying 50 52 38 31 35 33 26
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
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Lower educated respondents are more likely than more highly educated to select making sure pensions
are high enough but also remain affordable for future generations (53% of those who left education
aged 15 or younger vs 48% of those who completed their education aged 20 or older) and providing
for adequate and affordable housing (35% vs 29%) as actions their government should take to enable
active living in old age. The highest educated respondents, in turn, are more likely to mention allowing
people to continue working past the official retirement age if they want to (39% of those who completed
their education aged 20 or older vs 31% of those who left school aged 15 or younger), providing high-
quality and affordable health care services (51% vs 45%) and supporting lifelong education and training
(33% vs 29%).
3.3. Role of digital technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence
On average, across the EU, six in ten respondents, in total, agree that digital technologies,
robotics and artificial intelligence can help address the consequences of a shrinking and
ageing population, including possible labour shortages (23% 'strongly agree' and 37% 'rather
agree'). Less than four in ten respondents disagree with this statement (22% 'rather disagree' and
16% 'strongly disagree').
In all but three Member States, a majority of respondents 'strongly agree' or 'rather agree'
that digital technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence can help address the consequences of a
shrinking and ageing population. The highest level of agreement is observed in the Netherlands (76%)
and Denmark (75%), followed by Malta (71%). The lowest proportions agreeing are seen in Bulgaria
(46%), Austria and Croatia (both 49%). Bulgaria is the only Member State where more than half of
respondents (52%) 'rather disagree' or 'strongly disagree' with this statement.
Q8 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement:
"Digital technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence can help address the
consequences of a shrinking and ageing population, including possible labour
shortages"? (% EU27)
Strongly agree Rather agree Rather disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
3 6 3 2 2 2 3 3 1 2 4 3 1 3 1 0 1 2 3 2 3 2 3 3 4 3 5 3
4 12 9 11 10 12 13 16 23 20 23 21 17 17 14 18 22 18 28
11 11 12 15 18 30 26 22
6
22
11 12 18 22 21 22 22 22 20 20 27
22 22 20 24 24 24
19 20 21 24 26
16
22 25
24
39 42 17
39 45 42 41 39 39 40 39 55
37 35 36 37 32 36 31 34 38 29 37 36 32
29 32 30 27
37
33 32
25 25 27 26 25 26 25 25 27 26 26
24 23 23 22 23
19 18 18 20 20 19 19
17
9
NL DK MT SE FI CZ EE PL SK DE PT EU27 RO IT BE LU HU EL LT LV IE SI FR ES CY HR AT BG
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
32
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Socio-demographic considerations
The socio-demographic analysis reveals that men (28%) are more likely than women (19%) to
'strongly agree' that digital technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence can help address the
consequences of a shrinking and ageing population; there is no difference in the proportion 'rather
agreeing' between men and women (both 37%).
Younger respondents are also more likely to 'strongly agree' or 'rather agree' that digital technologies,
robotics and artificial intelligence can help address the consequences of a shrinking and ageing
population: 67% of respondents aged 15-24 agree with the statement, followed by 65% among those
aged 25-39; the proportion agreeing then decreases to 59% for those aged 40-54 and 57% for those
aged 55 or above.
Respondents with a high level of education also tend to agree more frequently that digital
technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence can help address the consequences of a shrinking and
ageing population: the total level of agreement varies between 52% for respondents who left school
aged 15 or younger and 63% for those who completed their education aged 20 or older.
Q8 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement:
"Digital technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence can help address the
consequences of a shrinking and ageing population, including possible labour
shortages"? (% by socio-demographics)
Gender (%)
Male 28 37 19 15
Female 19 37 24 16 Education (age when completed) (%)
Up to 15 years 21 31 22 23
Age (%) 16-19 years 21 35 22 19
15-24 28 39 22 10 20+ years 24 39 21 13
25-39 28 36 20 14 Still studying 28 39 22 10
40-54 23 37 22 17
55+ 20 37 22 17
Strongly agree Rather agree Rather disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
Proportions not shown for "Don't know" (<5%)
Base: all respondents (n=25 683)
33
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Technical specifications
Between 1 and 14 September 2023, Ipsos European Public affairs carried out Flash Eurobarometer
534 at the request of the European Commission, Secretariat-General. It is a general public survey
coordinated by the Directorate-General for Communication, “Media monitoring and Eurobarometer”
Unit. Flash Eurobarometer 534 covers the population of EU citizens, residents in one of the 27 Member
States and aged 15 years and over.
All interviews were carried via Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI). In each country,
respondents were called both on landlines and mobile phones. The telephone numbers sampled and
contacted were generated via Random Digit Dialling (RDD) methods. The basic sample design applied
in all countries is a random (probability) design. In households contacted via a landline phone, the
respondent was drawn at random from all household members (aged 15 years and over) following
the "most recent birthday rule".
Margin of error
Survey results are subject to sampling tolerances. The “margin of error” quantifies uncertainty about
(or confidence in) a survey result. As a general rule, the more interviews conducted (sample size), the
smaller the margin of error. A sample of 500 will produce a margin of error of not more than 4.4
percentage points, and a sample of 1 000 will produce a margin of error of not more than 3.1
percentage points.
Statistical margins due to sampling tolerances
(at the 95% level of confidence)
various sample sizes are in rows various observed results are in columns
5% 10% 25% 50% 75% 90% 95%
n=50 ±6.0 ±8.3 ±12.0 ±13.9 ±12.0 ±8.3 ±6.0
n=100 ±4.3 ±5.9 ±8.5 ±9.8 ±8.5 ±5.9 ±4.3
n=200 ±3.0 ±4.2 ±6.0 ±6.9 ±6.0 ±4.2 ±3.0
n=500 ±1.9 ±2.6 ±3.8 ±4.4 ±3.8 ±2.6 ±1.9
n=1000 ±1.4 ±1.9 ±2.7 ±3.1 ±2.7 ±1.9 ±1.4
n=1500 ±1.1 ±1.5 ±2.2 ±2.5 ±2.2 ±1.5 ±1.1
n=2000 ±1.0 ±1.3 ±1.9 ±2.2 ±1.9 ±1.3 ±1.0
34
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Population 15+
Number of Population 15+ (as % of EU27
interviews Fieldwork dates (absolute number) population)
EU27 25 683 1.9.2023-14.9-2023 379 815 189 100%
BE 1 001 4.9.2023-9.9-2023 9 685 972 2.55%
BG 1 015 1.9.2023-14.9-2023 5 845 872 1.54%
CZ 1 000 1.9.2023-10.9-2023 8 823 299 2.32%
DK 1 002 4.9.2023-12.9-2023 4 927 589 1.30%
DE 1 015 4.9.2023-11.9-2023 71 630 189 18.86%
EE 1 004 4.9.2023-10.9-2023 1 113 997 0.29%
IE 1 004 4.9.2023-9.9-2023 4 063 488 1.07%
EL 1 002 4.9.2023-10.9-2023 9 030 796 2.38%
ES 1 006 4.9.2023-8.9-2023 40 804 956 10.74%
FR 1 005 4.9.2023-9.9-2023 55 994 788 14.74%
HR 1 002 4.9.2023-11.9-2023 3 310 094 0.87%
IT 1 006 4.9.2023-9.9-2023 51 540 338 13.57%
CY 505 4.9.2023-8.9-2023 759 421 0.20%
LV 1 006 4.9.2023-10.9-2023 1 575 765 0.41%
LT 1 006 4.9.2023-11.9-2023 2 388 299 0.63%
LU 507 4.9.2023-9.9-2023 542 724 0.14%
HU 1 004 4.9.2023-9.9-2023 8 278 842 2.18%
MT 501 4.9.2023-9.9-2023 450 987 0.12%
NL 1 005 4.9.2023-9.9-2023 14 878 211 3.92%
AT 1 008 4.9.2023-9.9-2023 7 687 340 2.02%
PL 1 005 4.9.2023-11.9-2023 31 840 803 8.38%
PT 1 006 4.9.2023-9.9-2023 9 027 159 2.38%
RO 1 006 4.9.2023-10.9-2023 15 953 432 4.20%
SI 1 020 4.9.2023-13.9-2023 1 789 242 0.47%
SK 1 002 1.9.2023-8.9-2023 4 561 916 1.20%
FI 1 005 4.9.2023-11.9-2023 4 696 447 1.24%
SE 1 035 4.9.2023-10.9-2023 8 613 223 2.27%
35
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Questionnaire
ASK ALL
Q1 What do you consider the most pressing demographic challenge(s) in [YOUR
COUNTRY]? You can select two challenges.
(READ OUT, MAX. 2 ANSWERS ALLOWED) (RANDOMISE 1-6)
Population ageing 1
Declining fertility rates 2
Depopulation and brain drain 3
Migration and integration 4
Shrinking working-age population and labour shortages 5
The decline of the EU’s share in the global population 6
Other [DO NOT READ OUT] 7
Don't know [DO NOT READ OUT] 998
ASK ALL
Q2 What do you consider to be the most important threats to the EU’s economic
prosperity and competitiveness? You can select up to three threats.
(READ OUT, MAX. 3 ANSWERS ALLOWED) (RANDOMISE 1-5)
Climate change and environmental degradation 1
Digital technologies, including artificial intelligence 2
Social inequalities 3
Demographic change (e.g. population ageing, depopulation) 4
Geopolitical disruption (e.g. war or unfair global competition) 5
Other [DO NOT READ OUT] 6
Don't know [DO NOT READ OUT] 998
ASK ALL
Q3 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the
current demographic trends in the EU, such as population ageing and a shrinking
workforce? The current demographic trends…
(READ OUT, ONE ANSWER PER LINE ) (RANDOMISE STATEMENT 1-6)
Q3_1 …contribute to labour shortages in the EU
Q3_2 …contribute to skills mismatches in the EU
Q3_3 …put the EU's long-term economic prosperity and competitiveness at risk
Q3_4 …undermine the long-term sustainability of public finances in the EU
Q3_5 …intensify differences between and within EU Member States
Q3_6 …affect my prospects and future possibilities
(RESPONSE SCALE)
Strongly agree 1
Rather agree 2
Rather disagree 3
Strongly disagree 4
Don't know [DO NOT READ OUT] 998
36
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
ASK ALL
Q4 Should managing demographic change (such as population ageing and a shrinking
workforce) remain a political priority for policy action?
(READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY)
Yes, at EU level primarily 1
Yes, at Member State level primarily 2
Yes, both at EU and Member State levels 3
No, it should not remain a political priority for policy action 4
Don't know [DO NOT READ OUT] 998
ASK ALL
Q5 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Managing
demographic change requires close cooperation between all relevant levels of
government (e.g. EU, national, regional and local authorities)”?
(READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY)
Strongly agree 1
Rather agree 2
Rather disagree 3
Strongly disagree 4
Don't know [DO NOT READ OUT] 998
ASK ALL
Q6 Which of the following actions would you consider most effective to address the
consequences of a shrinking workforce in [YOUR COUNTRY]? You can select three
actions.
(READ OUT, MAX. 3 ANSWERS ALLOWED) (RANDOMISE 1-7)
Facilitating the combination of paid work and private life, including parenting and caring 1
responsibilities
Facilitating longer working lives, e.g. by lifelong learning and adapting working conditions 2
for older persons
Reforming pensions systems, e.g. lifting the retirement age and introducing flexible 3
retirement schemes
Facilitating labour mobility and migration to attract talent from abroad 4
Addressing youth unemployment 5
Supporting regions affected by depopulation 6
Other [DO NOT READ OUT] 7
Don't know [DO NOT READ OUT] 998
37
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
ASK ALL
Q7 In 2021, the life expectancy at birth in the EU was 80.1 years. As people are expected
to live longer, which of the following actions should the government in [YOUR
COUNTRY] take to enable you and future generations to lead an active life in old age?
You can select three actions.
(READ OUT, MAX. 3 ANSWERS ALLOWED) (RANDOMISE 1-7)
Supporting lifelong education and training 1
Adjusting workplace conditions to the needs of older persons 2
Allowing people to continue working past the official retirement age if they want to 3
Making sure pensions are high enough, but also remain affordable for future generations 4
Providing high-quality and affordable health care services 5
Providing high-quality and affordable long-term care services 6
Providing for adequate and affordable housing 7
Other [DO NOT READ OUT] 8
Don't know [DO NOT READ OUT] 998
ASK ALL
Q8 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "Digital
technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence can help address the consequences
of a shrinking and ageing population, including possible labour shortages"?
(READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY)
Strongly agree 1
Rather agree 2
Rather disagree 3
Strongly disagree 4
Don't know [DO NOT READ OUT] 998
38
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Data annex
39
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Q1 What do you consider the most pressing demographic challenge(s) in [YOUR
COUNTRY]? You can select two challenges. [MULTIPLE ANSWERS ALLOWED]
Population ageing
The decline of the
Depopulation and
global population
Declining fertility
[SPONTANEOUS]
labour shortages
EU’s share in the
population and
Migration and
working-age
Don't know
integration
brain drain
Shrinking
Other
rates
EU27 42 40 34 26 21 9 2 2
BE 45 53 50 13 12 11 2 1
BG 37 38 30 43 23 4 4 1
CZ 41 39 30 24 23 10 2 1
DK 30 49 21 14 23 7 3 7
DE 35 46 53 11 8 10 2 4
EE 40 34 20 36 42 6 2 1
IE 35 37 31 29 21 14 4 2
EL 37 44 23 51 26 6 1 0
ES 51 28 21 45 35 4 2 1
FR 41 40 38 27 19 14 3 1
HR 36 35 27 51 13 5 2 1
IT 38 33 27 33 29 7 1 2
CY 29 38 52 31 32 10 1 1
LV 27 28 15 41 45 4 4 2
LT 36 48 23 40 25 8 1 0
LU 28 30 53 15 18 24 6 0
HU 39 31 18 58 15 7 2 1
MT 32 25 47 26 15 15 7 3
NL 56 55 42 12 7 10 2 1
AT 28 33 41 22 15 11 4 7
PL 57 43 18 14 29 7 2 2
PT 53 38 27 34 16 9 0 2
RO 44 48 30 26 23 9 1 1
SI 43 36 19 40 28 5 2 2
SK 33 36 20 57 32 6 1 0
FI 51 46 14 11 57 3 1 1
SE 29 48 49 25 10 9 2 2
Flash Eurobarometer - Demographic change in Europe / Fieldwork: 1/9-14/9/2023
(%) Base: n=25 683 – All respondents
40
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Q2 What do you consider to be the most important threats to the EU’s economic
prosperity and competitiveness? You can select up to three threats.
[MULTIPLE ANSWERS ALLOWED]
including artificial
[SPONTANEOUS]
disruption (e.g.
Climate change
environmental
depopulation)
technologies,
Demographic
war or unfair
competition)
change (e.g.
degradation
Geopolitical
inequalities
intelligence
Don't know
population
ageing,
Digital
global
Social
Other
and
EU27 60 57 47 37 29 2 1
BE 66 62 54 33 36 2 1
BG 59 43 48 53 22 4 2
CZ 66 46 41 35 21 5 1
DK 61 57 41 20 20 2 2
DE 53 63 57 38 30 1 1
EE 67 39 43 49 17 3 1
IE 49 50 55 35 37 6 1
EL 64 55 54 48 26 1 0
ES 63 53 48 46 28 4 1
FR 62 64 49 29 34 4 0
HR 43 41 39 53 24 2 1
IT 61 54 38 22 30 2 1
CY 72 51 59 44 33 1 1
LV 56 29 42 41 18 4 1
LT 69 39 46 53 21 1 1
LU 53 55 61 42 27 0 0
HU 55 54 42 42 22 2 1
MT 44 71 39 46 25 2 0
NL 54 61 49 32 35 1 1
AT 51 56 61 30 20 2 2
PL 68 45 30 47 26 2 0
PT 53 59 58 50 25 0 2
RO 59 55 48 47 37 1 0
SI 55 45 35 45 26 3 1
SK 70 50 47 44 22 3 0
FI 72 57 41 40 16 1 1
SE 71 67 42 28 31 2 0
Flash Eurobarometer - Demographic change in Europe / Fieldwork: 1/9-14/9/2023
(%) Base: n=25 683 – All respondents
41
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Q3_1 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the
current demographic trends in the EU, such as population ageing and a shrinking
workforce? The current demographic trends contribute to labour shortages
in the EU
Strongly agree Rather agree Rather disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
EU27 27 40 19 11 3
BE 24 43 19 12 2
BG 45 27 13 12 3
CZ 15 35 35 13 3
DK 20 40 22 7 12
DE 26 40 21 10 4
EE 27 41 20 8 5
IE 26 42 16 12 4
EL 40 38 13 8 1
ES 29 41 17 10 2
FR 17 39 24 17 4
HR 36 43 10 8 3
IT 26 45 20 7 2
CY 31 37 11 17 4
LV 30 44 17 6 4
LT 38 39 14 8 1
LU 22 30 26 19 2
HU 29 34 22 12 4
MT 33 33 18 14 3
NL 44 28 11 14 3
AT 19 39 26 12 3
PL 36 41 14 7 3
PT 14 54 23 4 4
RO 36 40 12 10 2
SI 31 43 16 8 3
SK 24 43 22 9 2
FI 28 50 14 4 4
SE 16 46 18 15 5
Flash Eurobarometer - Demographic change in Europe / Fieldwork: 1/9-14/9/2023
(%) Base: n=25 683 – All respondents
42
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Q3_2 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the
current demographic trends in the EU, such as population ageing and a shrinking
workforce? The current demographic trends contribute to skills mismatches
in the EU
Strongly agree Rather agree Rather disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
EU27 17 40 24 11 7
BE 13 44 27 10 6
BG 32 35 15 11 7
CZ 16 38 34 7 6
DK 16 39 16 4 24
DE 14 39 29 13 6
EE 15 42 27 8 9
IE 15 40 23 16 7
EL 25 45 19 8 3
ES 22 48 17 7 6
FR 12 38 27 13 10
HR 21 50 13 10 7
IT 24 34 24 13 6
CY 21 35 17 18 9
LV 13 38 29 9 12
LT 30 42 15 7 6
LU 22 37 20 14 6
HU 23 34 24 13 6
MT 20 40 17 9 13
NL 20 26 21 15 18
AT 11 47 21 15 6
PL 14 41 26 9 10
PT 6 54 32 4 4
RO 26 47 14 11 3
SI 19 45 22 6 7
SK 16 44 28 8 4
FI 17 51 19 3 10
SE 17 46 20 11 6
Flash Eurobarometer - Demographic change in Europe / Fieldwork: 1/9-14/9/2023
(%) Base: n=25 683 – All respondents
43
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Q3_3 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the
current demographic trends in the EU, such as population ageing and a shrinking
workforce? The current demographic trends put the EU's long-term economic
prosperity and competitiveness at risk
Strongly agree Rather agree Rather disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
EU27 27 42 20 8 3
BE 24 45 19 10 2
BG 44 30 13 8 5
CZ 25 46 21 7 2
DK 22 46 17 5 11
DE 23 43 22 8 3
EE 25 45 19 6 6
IE 28 31 24 15 3
EL 42 39 12 7 0
ES 34 43 14 7 3
FR 20 42 25 10 3
HR 36 44 10 7 3
IT 28 43 24 6 0
CY 39 36 12 10 3
LV 32 43 16 4 5
LT 31 40 17 10 3
LU 29 45 8 15 4
HU 30 32 22 12 3
MT 29 40 23 6 2
NL 34 33 14 11 8
AT 20 43 20 12 5
PL 27 43 20 8 4
PT 18 57 17 4 6
RO 33 41 14 11 1
SI 28 49 14 5 4
SK 23 45 23 6 4
FI 20 51 20 4 5
SE 21 49 17 8 6
Flash Eurobarometer - Demographic change in Europe / Fieldwork: 1/9-14/9/2023
(%) Base: n=25 683 – All respondents
44
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Q3_4 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the
current demographic trends in the EU, such as population ageing and a shrinking
workforce? The current demographic trends undermine the long-term
sustainability of public finances in the EU
Strongly agree Rather agree Rather disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
EU27 25 42 18 8 6
BE 24 45 20 8 3
BG 38 27 14 13 8
CZ 29 41 21 6 4
DK 17 41 19 4 19
DE 17 41 25 9 9
EE 23 43 17 7 11
IE 27 33 17 13 10
EL 34 45 11 8 2
ES 34 42 12 7 5
FR 21 39 22 12 6
HR 30 45 11 8 5
IT 23 53 19 4 2
CY 35 39 11 10 5
LV 22 43 19 5 11
LT 26 40 16 8 11
LU 33 44 11 9 4
HU 23 32 25 13 8
MT 32 36 17 7 10
NL 30 29 12 13 17
AT 16 36 32 10 7
PL 35 40 13 7 5
PT 11 63 17 6 3
RO 28 42 14 11 5
SI 28 48 12 7 5
SK 30 44 16 7 4
FI 26 52 11 2 8
SE 19 47 17 9 8
Flash Eurobarometer - Demographic change in Europe / Fieldwork: 1/9-14/9/2023
(%) Base: n=25 683 – All respondents
45
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Q3_5 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the
current demographic trends in the EU, such as population ageing and a shrinking
workforce? The current demographic trends intensify differences between and
within EU Member States
Strongly agree Rather agree Rather disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
EU27 23 43 22 7 6
BE 20 43 24 9 4
BG 45 30 12 7 5
CZ 22 36 33 6 3
DK 15 40 18 4 23
DE 19 41 26 8 6
EE 23 44 22 5 7
IE 23 43 20 7 6
EL 38 41 13 6 3
ES 24 47 19 5 5
FR 18 47 21 7 8
HR 30 49 10 7 4
IT 22 37 27 7 8
CY 37 40 9 11 4
LV 24 46 17 5 8
LT 26 41 18 9 6
LU 24 44 13 14 5
HU 28 34 22 12 4
MT 27 43 14 10 6
NL 40 34 10 9 6
AT 16 41 27 9 8
PL 22 44 21 7 6
PT 16 62 13 6 3
RO 30 43 13 9 5
SI 27 47 17 6 3
SK 30 41 19 8 1
FI 14 50 21 4 10
SE 17 46 20 10 7
Flash Eurobarometer - Demographic change in Europe / Fieldwork: 1/9-14/9/2023
(%) Base: n=25 683 – All respondents
46
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Q3_6 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the
current demographic trends in the EU, such as population ageing and a shrinking
workforce? The current demographic trends affect my prospects and future
possibilities
Strongly agree Rather agree Rather disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
EU27 20 34 26 17 3
BE 24 37 21 17 1
BG 32 26 18 21 3
CZ 19 31 33 15 3
DK 12 28 33 20 7
DE 15 31 31 21 3
EE 17 29 27 24 3
IE 19 33 23 20 5
EL 37 33 20 10 1
ES 27 39 20 11 3
FR 13 28 29 27 3
HR 24 40 16 17 3
IT 21 41 27 6 5
CY 30 28 17 21 4
LV 24 32 25 13 6
LT 22 33 23 20 3
LU 26 29 21 20 4
HU 31 34 18 14 3
MT 31 28 26 13 3
NL 22 21 20 32 5
AT 11 32 29 24 4
PL 24 36 26 12 3
PT 9 50 24 12 6
RO 31 37 15 15 2
SI 17 40 25 16 4
SK 17 34 32 15 2
FI 15 41 28 14 4
SE 12 31 20 35 3
Flash Eurobarometer - Demographic change in Europe / Fieldwork: 1/9-14/9/2023
(%) Base: n=25 683 – All respondents
47
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Q4 Should managing demographic change (such as population ageing and a shrinking
workforce) remain a political priority for policy action?
No, it should not
Yes, at Member Yes, both at EU and
Yes, at EU level remain a political
State level Member State Don't know
primarily priority for policy
primarily levels
action
EU27 15 15 51 17 2
BE 11 13 59 15 2
BG 13 14 54 16 3
CZ 6 25 50 17 2
DK 9 24 49 14 5
DE 29 15 37 16 3
EE 8 22 44 23 3
IE 17 10 49 16 7
EL 8 13 68 10 1
ES 9 9 71 9 2
FR 12 15 53 17 3
HR 8 22 51 16 3
IT 12 12 46 30 0
CY 13 11 61 14 2
LV 11 13 60 12 5
LT 12 19 48 18 4
LU 22 20 35 21 2
HU 10 15 40 33 2
MT 13 14 51 17 5
NL 18 19 48 11 3
AT 17 26 36 18 4
PL 9 21 54 14 2
PT 14 5 68 9 4
RO 14 12 55 18 2
SI 12 12 52 20 4
SK 8 17 57 18 1
FI 7 20 54 16 3
SE 9 19 58 12 2
Flash Eurobarometer - Demographic change in Europe / Fieldwork: 1/9-14/9/2023
(%) Base: n=25 683 – All respondents
48
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Q5 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Managing
demographic change requires close cooperation between all relevant levels of government
(e.g. EU, national, regional and local authorities)”?
Strongly agree Rather agree Rather disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
EU27 50 36 8 6 2
BE 52 33 8 6 1
BG 61 25 7 5 2
CZ 37 41 15 6 2
DK 45 36 9 5 5
DE 41 41 11 6 1
EE 51 37 8 3 2
IE 64 27 4 5 1
EL 64 26 5 6 0
ES 63 29 3 4 1
FR 44 39 8 7 2
HR 56 31 7 5 2
IT 49 37 6 9 0
CY 63 27 5 4 2
LV 52 37 5 3 2
LT 61 29 6 4 1
LU 53 37 2 6 2
HU 42 34 14 9 2
MT 55 34 7 0 4
NL 62 24 6 5 3
AT 48 36 9 5 2
PL 55 30 8 4 2
PT 41 47 7 0 4
RO 52 35 5 8 1
SI 54 37 5 3 1
SK 49 36 9 4 1
FI 36 50 9 3 2
SE 45 37 10 6 2
Flash Eurobarometer - Demographic change in Europe / Fieldwork: 1/9-14/9/2023
(%) Base: n=25 683 – All respondents
49
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Q6 Which of the following actions would you consider most effective to address the
consequences of a shrinking workforce in [YOUR COUNTRY]? You can select three actions.
[MULTIPLE ANSWERS ALLOWED]
the retirement age and
mobility and migration
work and private life,
working lives, e.g. by
to attract talent from
lifelong learning and
retirement schemes
Reforming pensions
combination of paid
systems, e.g. lifting
conditions for older
including parenting
introducing flexible
Supporting regions
Facilitating labour
Facilitating longer
adapting working
Addressing youth
[SPONTANEOUS]
Facilitating the
unemployment
responsibilities
depopulation
Don't know
affected by
and caring
persons
abroad
Other
EU27 61 48 37 36 29 24 2 1
BE 75 52 29 33 46 29 2 1
BG 64 44 56 25 26 23 4 1
CZ 45 56 41 30 34 34 1 1
DK 42 37 29 44 46 19 2 3
DE 57 34 37 49 30 35 1 4
EE 55 47 48 35 40 18 2 1
IE 45 43 36 45 42 38 3 0
EL 72 47 50 30 27 28 1 0
ES 78 60 48 28 20 17 2 1
FR 65 48 40 34 41 15 4 1
HR 65 33 43 20 18 21 2 2
IT 61 38 23 37 11 22 0 0
CY 79 56 45 22 30 30 1 2
LV 57 30 49 25 28 12 3 2
LT 53 63 47 33 37 11 2 1
LU 68 46 42 50 35 27 0 0
HU 46 67 36 16 28 20 3 1
MT 51 49 26 35 34 33 4 2
NL 58 56 33 38 35 22 3 0
AT 58 49 28 31 36 18 2 1
PL 44 72 31 27 30 29 2 1
PT 57 52 46 37 21 15 2 1
RO 68 53 48 29 32 23 1 1
SI 57 45 30 29 24 24 3 2
SK 55 58 54 37 27 21 2 0
FI 67 47 30 54 29 19 1 1
SE 62 45 37 44 37 23 1 1
Flash Eurobarometer - Demographic change in Europe / Fieldwork: 1/9-14/9/2023
(%) Base: n=25 683 – All respondents
50
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Q7 In 2021, the life expectancy at birth in the EU was 80.1 years. As people are
expected to live longer, which of the following actions should the government in [YOUR
COUNTRY] take to enable you and future generations to lead an active life in old age?
You can select three actions. [MULTIPLE ANSWERS ALLOWED]
Supporting lifelong
affordable housing
Allowing people to
term care services
remain affordable
pensions are high
continue working
affordable health
[SPONTANEOUS]
retirement age if
conditions to the
enough, but also
affordable long-
past the official
Providing high-
Providing high-
needs of older
education and
adequate and
care services
Providing for
they want to
Making sure
generations
Don't know
quality and
quality and
workplace
Adjusting
for future
training
persons
Other
EU27 49 49 37 33 32 32 26 2 1
BE 54 55 40 38 31 37 28 1 0
BG 55 69 31 26 38 16 21 3 1
CZ 46 53 39 30 28 39 23 2 2
DK 24 40 52 25 28 31 41 2 2
DE 49 36 45 21 40 36 39 0 1
EE 50 60 44 35 32 23 26 1 1
IE 40 46 40 41 37 34 28 2 1
EL 55 68 30 39 21 33 22 1 1
ES 57 53 31 37 31 36 20 2 1
FR 51 47 35 36 39 30 26 3 1
HR 62 52 35 30 19 27 20 1 1
IT 48 40 21 39 28 20 15 3 1
CY 61 47 31 42 30 44 24 1 1
LV 52 62 31 26 25 27 21 1 1
LT 53 74 38 29 25 24 26 1 1
LU 25 39 39 52 44 44 40 0 0
HU 53 66 24 29 20 43 15 1 0
MT 47 50 42 34 33 30 17 2 0
NL 42 45 46 33 27 43 36 2 0
AT 40 39 52 19 32 30 35 1 0
PL 45 58 50 38 22 26 22 1 1
PT 38 60 22 37 40 38 27 0 1
RO 51 66 28 42 26 34 25 0 1
SI 54 50 33 40 17 39 20 2 1
SK 58 67 31 35 24 36 23 1 1
FI 41 63 46 26 33 31 27 0 1
SE 49 61 55 23 32 29 20 1 1
Flash Eurobarometer - Demographic change in Europe / Fieldwork: 1/9-14/9/2023
(%) Base: n=25 683 – All respondents
51
Flash Eurobarometer 534
Demographic change in Europe
Q8 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "Digital
technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence can help address the consequences of a
shrinking and ageing population, including possible labour shortages"?
Strongly agree Rather agree Rather disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
EU27 23 37 22 16 3
BE 23 37 20 20 1
BG 19 27 24 28 3
CZ 25 41 21 11 2
DK 33 42 12 6 6
DE 26 39 20 13 2
EE 27 39 22 10 3
IE 26 29 24 18 3
EL 26 31 24 17 2
ES 20 32 26 18 3
FR 18 36 24 18 3
HR 17 32 22 26 3
IT 25 36 22 15 3
CY 20 29 17 30 4
LV 19 38 27 14 2
LT 23 34 24 17 3
LU 27 32 19 23 0
HU 22 36 20 21 1
MT 32 39 22 4 3
NL 37 39 11 11 3
AT 19 30 25 22 5
PL 26 39 22 11 3
PT 9 55 20 12 4
RO 25 35 16 23 1
SI 18 37 21 22 2
SK 25 40 22 12 1
FI 25 42 22 9 2
SE 24 45 18 12 2
Flash Eurobarometer - Demographic change in Europe / Fieldwork: 1/9-14/9/2023
(%) Base: n=25 683 – All respondents
52
22.12.2023 nr 10.1-13/1209-1
Signe Riisalo
Sotsiaalkaitseminister
Sotsiaalministeerium
Austatud minister
Edastame Teile Euroopa Komisjoni voliniku Dubravka Šuica 15.12.2023 kirja nr
Ares(2023)8689355.
(demography toolbox)
Lugupidamisega
Marten Kokk
Esinduse asejuht Coreper I küsimustes
Lisa: voliniku kiri 2 lk
trükis "Demographic Change in Europe: a toolbox for action"
Raili Lillemets,
[email protected]
Rue Guimard 11/13 1040 Brussels Tel: +32 2 227 39 10
[email protected] https://eu.mfa.ee