This article, in today's Financial Times, caught my eye.
Brussels yesterday spelt out the extent of the European Union's stark population decline and ageing workforce, calling for swift reform to address its "unprecedented" demographic change.
By 2030 an extra 40m people - equivalent to the population of Spain - will be above retirement age, the European Commission said as it detailed the EU's ageing population, dwindling birth rate and retiring baby-boomers...
Vladimir Spidla, employment commissioner... said immigration alone would not solve the EU's demographic problems.
He said people were discouraged from having more children by difficulties in finding housing, late entry into employment, family- unfriendly environments and job instability. Pro-family policies, particularly on childcare, leave for both parents and family benefits were needed. Reform of pensions and increased productivity should also be part of the EU's response.
Some might argue that mandating extended family leaves, for example, might be somewhat at odds with the goal of increasing productivity, or that Mr. Spidla's diagnosis has the vague scent of solutions-to-come that will increase burdens on employers more generally. That would seem to be contrary to the general movement in Europe toward reducing the burdens on businesses -- as discussed in this post yesterday -- and increasing the flexibility of labor markets (discussed in this post, for example).
I've said it before. Life ain't easy for policy makers. Feel free to leave your suggestions.