Demography, Social Cohesion and the Future of the Welfare State

In the coming decades Europe will be faced with the consequences of the constantly changing composition of age structure in the population driven by low birth-rates and increasing life expectancy, as well as of a diversification in lifestyles and hence in the definition of the concept of family.

These rather profound changes in the composition of the population will have powerful impacts on the future of European societies and economies, and will require reflection on how trade unions can contribute to ensuring that welfare states in the future are financially sustainable and that they provide adequate as well as appropriate benefits and services. Furthermore - though this aspect will not be dealt with in this background document - trade unions will also have a major role to play in managing the challenge of the shrinking working-age population that will face Europe as from 2010. In other words, the demographic changes will put something of a strain on the financing of the welfare states as we know them today and will require a reassessment of the role of social protection in providing benefits and services.

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