Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002128/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Paolo Inselvini (ECR), Romana Tomc (PPE), Vasile Dîncu (S&D), Carlo Fidanza (ECR), Mario Mantovani (ECR), Sergio Berlato (ECR), Alessandro Ciriani (ECR), Ioan-Rareş Bogdan (PPE), Nicolas Bay (ECR), Antonella Sberna (ECR), Mariateresa Vivaldini (ECR), Chiara Gemma (ECR), Claudiu-Richard Târziu (ECR), Michele Picaro (ECR), Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza (ECR), Branko Grims (PPE), Rihards Kols (ECR), Raúl de la Hoz Quintano (PPE), Giuseppe Milazzo (ECR), Matej Tonin (PPE), Piotr Müller (ECR), Aurelijus Veryga (ECR), Georgiana Teodorescu (ECR), Kosma Złotowski (ECR), Waldemar Tomaszewski (ECR), Alberico Gambino (ECR), Fernand Kartheiser (ECR), Niels Geuking (PPE), Christophe Gomart (PPE), Nora Junco García (ECR), Diego Solier (ECR), Sunčana Glavak (PPE), Daniele Polato (ECR), Davor Ivo Stier (PPE), Massimiliano Salini (PPE), Karlo Ressler (PPE), Gabriella Gerzsenyi (PPE), Elena Donazzan (ECR), Margarita de la Pisa Carrión (PfE), Andi Cristea (S&D), Loránt Vincze (PPE), Marion Maréchal (ECR)
The demographic winter represents one of the most urgent challenges for Europe, with severe repercussions across multiple sectors of society: culture, economic growth, fiscal sustainability and pension systems. The Draghi Report predicts that, by 2040, the EU workforce will decrease by nearly 2 million people per year, highlighting the need for structural measures to boost European competitiveness.
The EU cannot merely adapt passively to the ageing population but must act by placing future generations at the centre of its economic and social policies. Currently, Member States’ expenditures on demographic policies and birth rates are categorised as current expenses and are subject to budget constraints. However, their long-term positive impact on European growth is evident.
Recognising such expenses as investment in human capital and economic development, also in the light of European fiscal rules, would allow Member States to implement their demographic policies with greater flexibility.
- 1.Does the Commission intend to recognise Member States’ demographic expenses as investment within the framework of the Stability and Growth Pact?
- 2.Does it plan to create a directorate-general or a specific unit to work on demographic policies?
- 3.What initiatives could be considered to reward Member States that invest in structural demographic policies?
Supporter[1]
Submitted: 28.5.2025
- [1] This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: Stefano Cavedagna (ECR)