Southern Europe (18-19th May Seminar)

The present crisis in Southern Europe: impact on demographic trends and social policies

• A systematic review of the recessions that have taken place in developed countries in the last decades shows that crises have an impact on demographic trends. Existing social policies may at first limit difficulties, but very fast their financing is in question and both benefits and coverage tend to decrease at the same time as population needs increase. The links between demographic dynamics, social policies and intergenerational relationships are transformed by new economic conditions.

• The crisis that some European countries are going through is exceptional in depth, duration and impact on incomes and labour markets. Its impact on population trends and social policies is little studied to date.