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Introduction:

During the last about three decades there have been a relatively low birth rate in Europe in general. As a consequence the population in many European countries has almost stagnated and in others it has been declining, e.g. Italy and Russia. The birth rate has to be 2,1 for every woman in the birth giving age to sustain the population, meaning that a woman between 20 and 49 should give birth to at least two children. In Europe in general it is below this.

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The general stagnating population in the European countries has caused many discussions and worries about the future possible changes in the demographic structure in the European countries. In the same period there has been a considerable emigration to Europe from countries outside Europe, and this has to some extent balanced the decline in the &ldquo;native&rdquo; population and in some countries even caused an increase in the population.&nbsp;

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The main discussions about the issue deal with economic consequences, an aging population and an ethnic and cultural diverse population following the demographic changes. Europe gets relatively smaller in numbers and economic power globally with the risk of having a minor international say. The aging population is expected to need more services, e.g. related to health issues, because a bigger part gets older. This will generate a need for more people working in the health sector. For the same reason people will need more money in pensions, laying their hands on a big amount of money. This is, by some, called an &ldquo;elder burden&rdquo;. Others regard the increased amount of old people as an extra asset because the elder people have more potentials today, financial and also as being active on the labour market. In Denmark a recent survey has shown that taxes and consumption from the elder people out-balance the increased costs.

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The relative low rate of young people, starting on the labour market, can be exposed to the need for increased contributions to the &ldquo;rest of the society&rdquo;, because they are a steady declining part of the population. An argument from the businesses is that a small access of young people on the labour market could, because of the increased need for labour force, cause a situation for increasing wages.

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This eventual lack of labour is seen to be a problem, though businesses are all the time getting more effective. An increased immigration could ease this situation in different ways. It would lower down the average age in the population, increase the available labour force and probably keep down the wages. It could contribute to the health sector work force etc. Immigration and a subsequently diverse society of different cultures and ethnicities is though a challenge to many Europeans. The current financial crises, the massive unemployment in many countries, the related increased right wing movement in several countries, have given basis for further restraints on immigration and also to hostile attitudes towards immigrants and a multi-cultural society.

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So first &ndash; do Europe have a demographic problem? Why do Europeans not give birth to more children? Is an aging population a burden, or is it not? Is it about economy? Will there be economic problems due to an increased rate of elders? Would increased immigration be beneficial? Will it happen? What are the challenges, what could be the solutions, what could be the perspectives?

Directive:

The aim and the product of the task are based upon both the title, the introduction and the directives of the tasks - read them.

Read the related issues, make clear the overall aim and make your strategy.

Relevant files are added. Use additional sources if you find it beneficial. The origin of additional sources must be noted for control.

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Product

Write a letter to your relatives and friends about the topic, including the related issues mentioned:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Title: The population in Europe is changing. Less young people, more old people, more immigrants. Is it called a problem, or is it a problem?

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Related issues to include in the product:

1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What is the typical &ldquo;pyramid&rdquo; for the population in Europe? What are the recent 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;developments, based on the developments in birth rate and mortality rate?

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2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; How is Europe demographically compared to other regions in the world, like China,&nbsp; 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Japan, the USA, the Middle East and sub Saharan Africa? What could the reasons 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; behind the observed differences?

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3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What are the arguments in the discussions about the so called &ldquo;elder burden&rdquo;. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Who/what has introduced this term/problem? Is it a real burden, or is it another 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;political, economical topic?

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4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What could be the reasons behind the low birth rate in Europe from the perspective 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; of the women or/and the families? Do changing family patterns influence on e.g. the 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;birth rate? Is it an economical issue? What could be the perspective in this?

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5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What are the discussions related to relative less young people on the job market and 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;relative more elder people using social services and pension funds in most European 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;countries? Will it be a problem &ndash; for who/what?&nbsp;

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6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There are many people from outside Europe who wants to have a life and a future in 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Europe. How does this fit with the discussion about the demographic development 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;in Europe?

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7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Make a prognosis with arguments about the demographic development in Europe for 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;the next ten years. 
 
 
FILES: 
 
2.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Europa-demograhy, at Berlin Institute for Population and Development, supporter: Robert Bosch Stiftung, Foundation Monte del P Deutche Krankenversicherung AG.BMW Stiftung Herbert Quandt, Adecco Institute, DKVacch di Siena, ERSTE Stiftung,&nbsp;

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