The demographic future of the European Union and the challenges for social policy and social security systems

Demographic changes within the European Union represent one of the key challenges of the 21st century. Population ageing, declining fertility rates and migration exert a direct impact on the functioning of social security systems and public policies across Member States. The author examines the major demographic trends in the EU and their social, economic and institutional implications, based on both – quantitative (including data from Eurostat and the OECD) and qualitative analysis (such as EU strategic documents and scholarly publications). Drawing on examples of initiatives undertaken by Member States, the study offers recommendations for systemic reforms and social education as essential tools to address future challenges.