Source: European Parliament
The Demography Toolbox[1] provides a comprehensive mapping of tools and policy measures to support Member States on demographic change.
It aims to reconcile family aspirations with paid work, promote gender equality, empower younger and older generations, and where necessary address labour shortages through legal migration. The effective integration of third-country nationals legally residing in the EU is essential.
The European Social Funds Plus is the main EU funding instrument that invests in people and thus helps to address the demographic challenges. It has a total budget of EUR 142 billion. (EU funding and national co-financing) during 2021-2027.
It supports measures as access to employment, including for youth and women, access to services, such as long-term care and childcare services, and education and skills.
Well-managed legal migration can help reducing labour shortages. Migration in itself will not offset demographic decline. In line with the Pact on Migration and Asylum[2], providing a strong European response to irregular migration and migrant smuggling is an essential part of the comprehensive approach to migration (the EU has launched the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling).
The Pact is also establishing a set of new rules for managing migration and establishing a common asylum system at EU level. The new system will address the issue of irregular arrivals of non-EU nationals at the EU external borders.
It will set up fast, efficient and streamlined procedures for asylum and return, as well as strong safeguards for the people concerned.