Germany may look like the healthy heart of Europe right now, but the country’s demographic position could see its competitive edge fall flat, according to Der Spiegel.
With all eyes currently on the short term crisis in European debt, observers may be overlooking Europe’s more long term demographic sickness. But Germany, faced with a declining birth rate and an increase in emigration that now sees more people leaving the country than entering, is starting to wake up.
The country has already tried policies to encourage family growth that have thus far failed, according to Der Spiegel. And Germany’s key country for immigration, Turkey, is now not such a boon, with net 10,000 Turks returning rather than coming to Germany.
But Germany’s problems still pale in comparison to many other European states, where declining birthrates and restrictive policies on immigration have halted population growth.
No. 15: Netherlands
The issue of preventing immigration from all Muslim countries took center stage in recent local elections.
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2007: 6.6%
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2035: 10%
Change in working age population by 2020: -4.3%
Source: 2009 EU Aging Report
No. 14: Luxembourg
Luxembourg has the highest amount of foreign born citizens in any country in Europe.
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2007: 8.7%
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2035: 17%
Change in working age population by 2020: -1.1%
Source: 2009 EU Aging Report
No. 13: Denmark
Denmark has very strict immigration rules which prevent the wives and husbands of naturalized citizens from moving to the country for 28 years after their spouse’s naturalization.
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2007: 9.1%
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2035: 11%
Change in working age population by 2020: -4.3%
Source: 2009 EU Aging Report
No. 12: Bulgaria
The head of Bulgaria’s immigration team has recently been arrested for illegally helping foreigners get citizenship.
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2007: 8.3%
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2035: 9.0%
Change in working age population by 2020: -5.6%
Source: 2009 EU Aging Report
No. 11: Czech Republic
Czech pension profits grew by 720 Million Kc (40 Million) while membership grew in private pensions to 4.47 million people.
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2007: 7.8%
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2035: 7.6%
Change in working age population by 2020: -8.3%
Source: 2009 EU Aging Report
No. 10: Belgium
New EU rules on traveling without a visa are supplying a large amount of Balkan immigrants to Belgium since the beginning of the year.
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2007: 10%
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2035: 14%
Change in working age population by 2020: -3.5%
Source: 2009 EU Aging Report
No. 9: Poland
Poland is keeping steady in its plan on pensions, hoping that a slight increase in returns and increasing the retirement age will allow the program to remain in good stead.
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2007: 12%
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2035: 9.3%
Change in working age population by 2020: -5.7%
Source: 2009 EU Aging Report
No. 8: Hungary
Hungary is attempting to take advantage of foreign discrimination against Indians by offering them places in their universities.
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2007: 11%
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2035: 12%
Change in working age population by 2020: -5.0%
Source: 2009 EU Aging Report
No. 7: Italy
Italy experienced nationwide strikes of immigrant workers on March 1 showing the signs of tension within the country.
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2007: 14%
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2035: 15%
Change in working age population by 2020: -3.0%
Source: 2009 EU Aging Report
No. 6: Sweden
Sweden has a policy of “integration” for its immigrants giving them the language and cultural skills necessary to survive in the country.
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2007: 9.5%
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2035: 9.4%
Change in working age population by 2020: -6.0%
Source: 2009 EU Aging Report
No. 5: Malta
Malta, a relatively closed post-colonial state, is experiencing an influx of immigration which some are saying is a positive move for its society.
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2007: 7.2%
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2035: 9.7%
Change in working age population by 2020: -7.1%
Source: 2009 EU Aging Report
No. 4: Greece
Greece is making moves to give the children of migrant workers citizenship, but there is a substantial backlash to these political moves.
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2007: 12%
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2035: 19%
Change in working age population by 2020: -3.9%
Source: 2009 EU Aging Report
No. 3: France
France is preventing an immigrant from Morocco from getting citizenship because he makes his wife wear an “Islamic veil.”
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2007: 13%
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2035: 14%
Change in working age population by 2020: -5.5%
Source: 2009 EU Aging Report
No. 2: Finland
Finland experienced a 48% increase in asylum seekers last year, with most coming from Iraq and Somalia.
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2007: 10%
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2035: 14%
Change in working age population by 2020: -8.5%
Source: 2009 EU Aging Report
No. 1: Slovenia
Slovenia’s pension scheme remained balanced for 2009, with spent and received 4.6 Billion Euros ($6.3 Billion).
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2007: 9.9%
Pension cost compared to GDP in 2035: 15%
Change in working age population by 2020: -6.6%
Source: 2009 EU Aging Report
Now Check Out The 10 Countries On The Verge Of A Crippling Demographic Crisis
See The Ten Countries On The Verge Of A Demographic Crisis >
Join the conversation about this story »