Last 20, june, 2013 The Center for European Studies / IE organized the seminar “Demographic Challenges of the European Union” with Rafael Puyol and Marie-José Garot. This seminar is the second seminar of the cycle “Challenges for the future of the European Union: A View from Spain” sponsored by the program “Hablamos de Europa” from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The lecturer of the seminar Rafael Puyol is an expert in European demography, Professor of Human Geography at the University Complutense, Vice-President of Institutional Relations at IE Business School and Vice-President of the IE Foundation.
In his presentation, Rafael Puyol defined the most important factors explaining the current situation and the future of the European Union population: aging, low birth rates and immigration.
It also analyzed how these processes are having and will have in the near future a major effect on the labor market, pointing as immigration is and will be even more in the future necessity.
Conclude the seminar by noting the need for States to conduct “major demographic efforts” to alleviate the labor shortage looming. In some countries there is still scope for greater incorporation of women into the workplace. In all will require a delay in the retirement age.
Marie-José Garot, IE Law School Professor, owner of Jean Monnet Chair in IE and Director of CEE / IE, answered the lecturer, analyzing the current state of European immigration policy. And then it opened a discussion among attendees.
