Demographic and Migratory Flows Affecting European Regions and Cities
Overall predictions indicate labour shortages in the EU after 2010. The Commission Staff Working Document on Europe’s demographic future points out that from around 2017 on the shrinking population in working age will lead to stagnation and, subsequently, reduction of total employment. Against this backdrop, the EU Commission acknowledges the necessity of immigration from outside the EU to meet the requirements of the European labour market. The Fourth Cohesion Report indicates that already today, population growth depends on immigration. In the above mentioned staff working document, the Commission identified a need of further analysis for the effects of migration on Europe’s demographic future.  In response to above mentioned key policy documents the project deals with the effects of demographic and migratory flows on European regions and cities and examines the implications for regional competitiveness and European cohesion.