Immigration in Europe - HumanitarianNet - Universidad de Deusto

50 JAN NIESSEN & YONGMI SCHIBELpopulation decline and worsening demographic imbalances immigrantscould contribute to reversing these developments.This paper argues that immigration should be considered as anoption in the policy debates on strategic economic and social goals andfundamental values that underpin Europe’s social market economy.Immigrants should be valued for their contribution to achieve thesegoals and this will enhance their integration into society. Immigration isabout sustainable development, economic interests and social values.In other words, this paper is an attempt to change the terms of thecurrent debate on international migration: from a debate that focusesalmost exclusively on admission issues to one where these issues areonly discussed in the context of an assessment of immigration needsagainst the backdrop of a declining and ageing population. This makesthe migration debate distinct from the refugee debate, which is aboutprotection needs and human rights commitments. It also makes itdistinct from the debate on all forms of forced migration to be addressedby Europe’s foreign and development policies.First we examine briefly the significance of demographic factors foreconomic development. We then look at future demographic trendsand spell out the implications for labour markets, pension and healthcare systems. This is followed by an overview of policies to addressemerging challenges and by some final remarks. We focus on theexpanding European Union and refer regularly to work undertakenwithin the Council of Europe.Why demography mattersThe European Union has embarked upon an ambitious programmeof becoming ‘the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-basedeconomy in the world capable of sustained economic growth withmore and better jobs and greater social cohesion’ (Presidencyconclusions, Lisbon European Council, 23 and 24 March 2000). Suchgoals crucially depend on people: people who will generate growth,create and fill jobs, and contribute to social security systems; andpeople who will live in and shape the societies that benefit fromeconomic development. How many people live in Europe, and howmany will there be in twenty or fifty years? What is their age profile,and how is it changing? The achievement of Europe’s long-term goalsis intimately bound up with the size and age of its population.Demography and demographic change, then, matter for social andeconomic progress in Europe.