There are proportionately fewer Europeans in the world and the trend is set to continue, according to research presented to the Parliamentary Assembly.
Population expert Vitalija Gaucaite Wittich told a 15 March Brussels meeting of the Migration Committee that Europeans made up 22 per cent of the world’s human total in 1950. By 2010, that share had dropped to 11 per cent and will be just 8 per cent by 2050 if the trend continues.
“It is not necessarily true that declining population leads to declining power or influence,” said Wittich. “Demography is not destiny. Age-distribution matters more, and non-demographic factors even more.”
Ahmet Icdygu of Turkey’s Koç University said a “long-term vision” was needed to deal with the situation, which should include a range of policies designed to encourage migrant workers, extend working life, manage immigration appropriately and boost fertility.
The Assembly will discuss Europe’s declining population at its June session.
