European Commission Staff Working Document on the Impact of Demographic Change in a Changing Environment (2023) (commission.europa.eu)

• Life expectancy in the EU dropped from 81.3 (2019) to 80.1 years (2021) due to COVID-19.
• Fertility rate in 2020 was 1.5 children per woman, below replacement level.
• Net migration to EU fell 30% in 2020, recovered in 2021.
• Brexit caused increased return migration of EU citizens from the UK.
• Report projects further ageing and shrinking working-age population.

"This European Commission staff working document analyses demographic trends in the EU, including increasing life expectancy, declining birth rates, and positive net migration. It highlights the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on life expectancy and migration, as well as the effects of Brexit and the war in Ukraine. The report discusses consequences for labour markets, welfare systems, public finances, and infrastructure. It emphasizes the need for increased labour force participation, productivity, and managed migration to address the challenges of an ageing population and shrinking working-age population."