Shrinking European working age population: immigration matters

The population in many areas of the world including Europe, Japan and China is ageing at a rapid rate because of declining birth rates and people living longer. In fact, the post war baby boom generation are reaching retirement age and leaving behind them younger and working age generations that are smaller.

It is particularly concerning for Europe where its defined working age population of 16 to 64 years as a proportion of the total population is shrinking and is threatening to adversely impact the longer-term economic outlook.