The decline in birth rates in the European Union has reached alarming proportions, according to a study presented in Brussels by the Commissioner responsible for social affairs and employment, Vladimir Spidla. The majority of member states in fact present by now a birth rate just above one child per family (the European average was 1.48 in 2003). Projections suggest that the constant ageing of the population will lead in 2030 to 34.7 million over 80 year olds, approximately 8% of the total EU population (in comparison with 18.8 million today, less than 5%). The low birth rate a phenomenon considered normal in “developed” and “urbanized” societies is aggravated in Europe by the lack of structures for the care and assistance of infants and young children (crèches and kindergartens), with the result that often a couple in which both spouses are in permanent employment deliberately renounce having children for fear of being forced to abandon their jobs (especially in the woman’s case). The Commission intends to promote a strategy for member States to promote better and more widespread child-care services at more economic prices than at the present time. For further information, consult the website http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/news/2005/mar/demog_gp_en.html
