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Immigration, one of the answers to Europe's demographic ageing

Doc. 16072: compendium of written amendments | Doc. 16072 | 29/01/2025 | Final version

Compendium index

Amendment 8 Amendment 2 Amendment 1 Amendment 3 Sub-amendment 1 to amendment 3 Sub-amendment 2 to amendment 3 Amendment 4 Amendment 10 Amendment 5 Amendment 9 Amendment 6 Amendment 7 Sub-amendment 1 to amendment 7 Sub-amendment 2 to amendment 7

Caption: AdoptedRejectedWithdrawnNo electronic votes

ADraft Resolution

1The Parliamentary Assembly notes that, in the past decade, the global refugee population has more than doubled, reaching more than 36,4 million refugees, according to the data of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In most cases, refugees in Africa, who were fleeing war, persecution and climate crisis, were not able to reach Europe or North America and took shelter in neighbouring countries. By UNHCR's calculations, in 2023, Uganda recorded 1,6 million people of concern including 1,5 million refugees. Another country, Ethiopia, which was at the crossroads of several of the world's largest refugee crisis, was the host to over 900 000 refugees, and Chad, was the 10th largest host community for refugees with more than 700 000 refugees recorded in 2023. Most had escaped conflict in Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan.
2Migration pressure has become a key issue for Europe. European solidarity to host refugees has been limited, but there have been some countries that have provided sanctuary. 3,4 million refugees are hosted in Türkiye including 3,3 million Syrians under temporary protection. Germany hosts 2,5 million refugees, which largely include people from Syria and Ukraine. Poland, as a country sharing a border with Ukraine, accommodates nearly 60% of all refugees from there. Sadly, however, there are countries that have refused to contribute to the common effort of receiving asylum seekers.
3The Assembly deplores the fact that the rising populist discourse blames migrants for public policies’ failures. For political reasons, non-European migrants are left without any chance to integrate in a host community. Many countries in Europe are confronted with considerable changes due to population ageing and the newly arriving migrants could, if given such an opportunity, integrate, work, and live decently in Europe, contributing like all other European citizens to strengthening the society they live in.

29 January 2025

Tabled by Mr Marco SCURRIA, Ms Elisabetta GARDINI, Ms Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Mr Simone BILLI, Mr Fabio PIETRELLA, Mr Marco DREOSTO

Votes: 19 in favor 55 against 6 abstentions

In the draft resolution, paragraph 3, delete the first two sentences.

4Europeans are living longer than ever before, and the age profile of society is rapidly developing. Due to demographic ageing, the proportion of people of working age in Europe is shrinking, while the number of older people is expanding. Several countries experienced a worrying reduction in the youth and working age cohorts as opposed to the exponential growth of the number of retirees, many of whom were reaching the fourth age, often associated with dependency. This pattern will continue in the next few decades, as the post-Second World War baby boom generation completes its move into retirement.

29 January 2025

Tabled by Mr Marco SCURRIA, Ms Elisabetta GARDINI, Ms Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Mr Simone BILLI, Mr Fabio PIETRELLA, Mr Marco DREOSTO, Mr Armen GEVORGYAN

If adopted, amendment 1 falls.

Votes: 17 in favor 65 against 4 abstentions

In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 4 with the following paragraph:

"Europeans are living longer than ever before, and the age profile of society is rapidly developing. Due to demographic ageing, the proportion of people of working age in Europe is shrinking, while the number of older people is expanding and the number of children is decreasing. Several countries have experienced a worrying reduction in the youth and working age cohorts as opposed to the exponential growth of the number of retirees, many of whom were reaching the fourth age, often associated with dependency. This pattern will continue in the next few decades, as the post-Second World War baby boom generation completes its move into retirement, while young people delay the decision to have children or reject it completely due to financial and labour constraints such as unstable employment and the housing crisis, or a constraining work-life balance, such as rising pressures at work, lack of State policies to support their work-life balance and career possibilities and discrimination against women in the workplace."

29 January 2025

Tabled by Mr Marco SCURRIA, Ms Elisabetta GARDINI, Ms Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Mr Simone BILLI, Mr Fabio PIETRELLA, Mr Marco DREOSTO, Mr Armen GEVORGYAN , Ms Alexandra SCHOOS

Falls if amendment 2 is adopted.

Votes: 20 in favor 65 against 3 abstentions

In the draft resolution, paragraph 4, replace the second sentence with the following sentence:

"Due to the demographic crisis, the proportion of young people who are the real investment for a sustainable future in Europe is shrinking, while the number of older people is expanding."

5At personal level, physical and cognitive impairments brought by ageing increase dependency. This may lead to reduced mobility, resulting in increased vulnerability and, often, social isolation. The help of social care workers might be of vital importance to meet older dependent people’s daily transport or care needs and ensure a minimum of socialisation, which, alongside healthcare, improves the emotional well-being.

29 January 2025

Tabled by Mr Marco SCURRIA, Ms Elisabetta GARDINI, Ms Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Mr Simone BILLI, Mr Fabio PIETRELLA, Mr Marco DREOSTO

Votes: 80 in favor 3 against 1 abstention

In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 5 with the following paragraph:

"At a personal level, physical and cognitive impairments brought on by ageing increase dependency mostly on relatives and children. These impairments may lead to reduced mobility, resulting in increased vulnerability and, often, social isolation and loneliness. The help of social care workers might be of vital importance in meeting older dependent people’s daily transport or care needs and in ensuring a minimum of social contact, which, alongside healthcare, improves emotional well-being. It should be noted that long-term care in Europe is actually mostly provided by informal carers such as family members and friends - mainly spouses and children, whose care work is not recognised."

29 January 2025

Tabled by Lord Don TOUHIG, Lord Michael GERMAN, Mr Perran MOON, Mr Dave ROBERTSON, Lord David BLENCATHRA

Votes: 85 in favor 1 against 1 abstention

In amendment 3, in the first sentence, delete the following words:

"mostly on relatives and children"

29 January 2025

Tabled by Lord Don TOUHIG, Lord Michael GERMAN, Mr Perran MOON, Mr Dave ROBERTSON, Lord David BLENCATHRA

Votes: 80 in favor 5 against 2 abstentions

In amendment 3, in the last sentence, replace the words "actually mostly" with the following words:

"very often"

6Demographic ageing will have profound implications, not only for individuals, but also for public services, business and civil society, impacting, among others: health and social care systems, labour markets, public finances and pension entitlements. Demographic indicators that describe the latest developments for an ageing Europe show that, in the timespan of 50 years, the old age dependency ratio is projected to more than double. The old age dependency ratio for the European Union-27 was 25,9% in 2001. It will reach 56,7% by 2050, when there will be fewer than two persons of working age for each older person. As a result, the elderly population will require increasing support to meet their needs and the future generations will find themselves having to bear the costs for an aged society with less social security and a weaker public welfare system.

29 January 2025

Tabled by Mr Marco SCURRIA, Ms Elisabetta GARDINI, Ms Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Mr Simone BILLI, Mr Fabio PIETRELLA, Mr Marco DREOSTO, Mr Armen GEVORGYAN , Sir Christopher CHOPE, Ms Alexandra SCHOOS

Votes: 26 in favor 55 against 3 abstentions

In the draft resolution, at the end of paragraph 6, insert the following sentence:

"Member States should therefore define demographic investments as a long-term policy tool and not as costs without a return on investment. The future is always an investment, because helping parents to raise their children is a step forward into the future of Europe."

7The Assembly is convinced that the current demographic ageing requires, therefore, positive action to help support an increase in birthrates and assist parents with child upbringing. More generous policies are needed to raise fertility rates at national and European levels. This is, however, not sufficient. Adequate integration policies for newly arriving persons are needed to bridge the population pyramid gaps due to rapid demographic ageing. Specific measures must, therefore, be taken to avoid severe macro-economic and social implications, for the benefit of all.

29 January 2025

Tabled by Ms Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Sir Christopher CHOPE, Ms Alexandra SCHOOS, Ms Elisabetta GARDINI, Mr Simone BILLI

If adopted, amendments 5, 9 falls.

Votes: 29 in favor 51 against 0 abstention

In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 7 with the following paragraph:

"The Assembly is convinced that current demographic ageing requires, therefore, positive action to help support an increase in birthrates adopting measures to put parents in a position to exercise their right to freely and responsibly decide the number and spacing of the children they want. Establishing family work-life balance measures, such as parental leave, accessible childcare services and tax benefits, will make work and education more compatible with young professionals' career choices in order to help young couples with their choice and assist parents with child upbringing. Because future generation and family policies are not a cost to the States' debt balance of accounts but a social investment contributing to the human capital to tackle the demographic crisis, it is necessary to work for intergenerational equity, ensuring policies that equitably support young families and older generations."

29 January 2025

Tabled by Mr Marco SCURRIA, Ms Elisabetta GARDINI, Ms Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Mr Simone BILLI, Mr Fabio PIETRELLA, Mr Marco DREOSTO

If adopted, amendment 9 falls. Falls if amendment 10 is adopted.

Votes: 30 in favor 54 against 0 abstention

In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 7 with the following paragraph:

"The Assembly is convinced that current demographic ageing requires, therefore, positive action to help support not merely an increase in birth rates, but adopting measures to put parents in a position to exercise their right to freely and responsibly decide the number and spacing of the children they want. Establishing family work-life balance measures, such as parental leave, accessible childcare services and tax benefits, will make work and education more compatible with young professionals' career choices in order to help young couples with their choice and assist parents with child upbringing. Because future generation and family policies are not a cost to the States' balance of accounts but a social investment contributing to the human capital to tackle the demographic crisis, it is necessary to work for intergenerational equity, ensuring policies that equitably support young families and older generations. More generous and family-friendly policies such as the European Demographic Toolbox - the priorities of which are supporting parents as well as younger and older generations - are needed to raise fertility rates at national and European levels, bringing a true economic and social long-term solution to the demographic crisis. Additionally, adequate integration policies for newly arriving persons are needed to bridge the population pyramid gaps due to rapid demographic ageing. Specific measures must, therefore, be taken to avoid severe macro-economic and social implications, for the benefit of all, bearing in mind that the priority to tackle the whole demographic crisis, beyond ageing, is still to invest in family policies."

29 January 2025

Tabled by Mr Marco SCURRIA, Ms Elisabetta GARDINI, Ms Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Mr Simone BILLI, Mr Fabio PIETRELLA, Mr Marco DREOSTO

Falls if amendments 10, 5 are adopted.

Votes: 34 in favor 49 against 1 abstention

In the draft resolution, at the end of paragraph 7, insert the following sentence:

"The Assembly encourages member States to develop effective communication strategies in support of childbirth, including a narrative about the tools that States make available to women and families."

8The Assembly therefore calls Council of Europe member States, as a matter of priority, to develop effective policies and initiatives to ensure the well-being and quality of life for the elderly population. Countries need to build a “longevity society”, which aims to promote healthy ageing and to exploit the advantages of longer quality lives. It requires a cultural shift, investments in research, and the development of social policies that empower older citizens towards a more inclusive, healthy, and prosperous society for all generations.
9In parallel to that, States should strive to improve their policies promoting migrants’ general integration and social cohesion. Comprehensive, gender-responsive and multidimensional integration policies must be implemented, from the regularisation of undocumented migrant workers in the informal economy to the promotion of direct and targeted aid in local communities and job training. Failure to address migrants' integration needs would lead to negative outcomes, including social tension, cultural clashes, and economic disparities, with a decline in overall well-being for all.
10The Assembly strongly encourages member States to support programmes aimed at building bridges between various communities. In this context, public authorities should consider investing in relevant capacity building measures for civil society organisations. Promoting engagement within existing social infrastructures, such as membership of sports associations or participation in local festivals and events, can also lead to more sustainable integration.

29 January 2025

Tabled by Mr Marco SCURRIA, Ms Elisabetta GARDINI, Ms Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Mr Simone BILLI, Mr Fabio PIETRELLA, Mr Marco DREOSTO, Mr Armen GEVORGYAN

Votes: 22 in favor 61 against 2 abstentions

In the draft resolution, at the end of paragraph 10, replace the word "integration" with the following word:

"development"

11The Assembly strongly believes that intergenerational and intercultural co-operation programme can improve community connections. Intergenerational learning for children brings higher self-esteem and helps them make new friendships. As for the older adults, they feel valued, their health and fitness improve, there is reduced isolation, they learn new skills, including the use of new technologies. Finally, their general physical well-being improves. Communities are benefiting from it, altogether, thanks to the social inclusion that is brought by intergenerational solidarity.

29 January 2025

Tabled by Mr Marco SCURRIA, Ms Anna ZÁBORSKÁ, Ms Elisabetta GARDINI, Mr Simone BILLI, Mr Fabio PIETRELLA, Mr Marco DREOSTO, Mr Armen GEVORGYAN , Ms Alexandra SCHOOS

Votes: 78 in favor 4 against 3 abstentions

In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 11 with the following paragraph:

"The Assembly strongly believes that intergenerational and intercultural co-operation programmes can improve community connections and demographic challenges because there is no sustainable development without intergenerational balance. Intergenerational learning for children brings higher self-esteem and helps them make new friendships. As for the older adults, they feel valued, their health and fitness improve and they are less isolated and learn new skills, including the use of new technologies. Finally, their general physical well-being improves. Communities such as families and family networks together benefit from intergenerational learning, thanks to the social inclusion that is brought by intergenerational solidarity."

29 January 2025

Tabled by Lord Don TOUHIG, Lord Michael GERMAN, Lord David BLENCATHRA, Mr Dave ROBERTSON, Mr Perran MOON

Votes: 83 in favor 2 against 1 abstention

In amendment 7, replace the first sentence with the following sentence:

"The Assembly strongly believes that intergenerational and intercultural co-operation programmes can improve community connections because there is no development without intergenerational balance."

29 January 2025

Tabled by Lord Don TOUHIG, Lord Michael GERMAN, Lord David BLENCATHRA, Mr Dave ROBERTSON, Mr Perran MOON

Votes: 80 in favor 4 against 2 abstentions

In amendment 7, in the last sentence, delete the words "such as" and add a comma after the word "Communities".

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12The Assembly underscores the importance of developing European programmes to support non-formal education and to provide space for inter-cultural and inter-generational solidarity. Adequate recognition and resources are needed to help newly arriving persons socialise and get access to public services or informal support. Creating spaces for informal meetings, where intergenerational and intercultural contact is possible, should be key in developing policies at the local, national and international levels.
13The Assembly calls upon member States to put into practice its Resolution 2502 (2023) “Integration of migrants and refugees: benefits for all parties involved”, acting in particular to:
13.1establish a new social contract, which sets out the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved in the integration process. Acceptance of this new social contract depends on the existence of democratic practices that build social support. Highlighting the rights and responsibilities for the newly arriving populations provides clarification from the start and builds trust and respectful co-operation between local communities and the beneficiaries of resettlement programmes;
13.2support mentoring programmes and integration guides;
13.3develop nationwide interpretation services to support integration;
13.4enhance education, from language training to democratic citizenship and human rights education;
13.5improve recognition of skills obtained abroad;
13.6take into consideration the special needs of vulnerable groups, such as women, children, including unaccompanied children, elderly people, persecuted religious minorities, people with disabilities, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex (LGBTQI+) community, stateless people and others, who need specific support in order to successfully integrate into the host country;
13.7create spaces to bring migrants, refugees and the local community together;
13.8improve financial settings, with a person-centred approach to integration support and adaptation of national services to take into account specific needs and circumstances;
13.9develop targeted housing policies for affordable and decent accommodation;
13.10invest in social cohesion with partnerships between private investors, public authorities and civil society organisations;
13.11match migrant skills with job opportunities to support access to the labour market;
13.12develop effective communication strategies to support integration, including a more positive narrative towards refugees and asylum seekers;
13.13ensure respect for refugees’ and migrants’ dignity in the media, while avoiding messages that are stigmatising, xenophobic, racist, alarmist or inaccurate;
13.14develop welcoming programmes at municipal level, emphasising diversity as an advantage;
13.15enhance public health support for vulnerable refugees and migrants.
14Urban planning needs to be reconsidered towards enhancing multicultural and intergenerational solidarity at local level. Projects aimed at bringing together the ageing population and the newly arriving migrants and refugees need to be supported, including through specific actions to facilitate the integration of refugees and migrants and to help elderly people cope with loneliness and dependency due to old age. Bringing different generations together is essential.
15Care-related challenges in the urban and rural settings would need special consideration. Immigration can be one means through which Europe could fulfil its current and future labour shortages in care provision occupations, thereby decreasing the caregiver support ratio. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), foreign-born workers already make up around 20% of the current caregiver workforce, or even more, taking into account the large informal and home-based care provision. In general, most foreign-born long-term care workers immigrated through non-economic channels, including family reunification, student visas, general migration routes for non-specialised workers, and international protection.
16The Assembly strongly encourages member States to develop policies to attract high-skilled migrants to enhance Europe’s capacity to meet future challenges. The European Union member States and candidate countries should support the implementation of the EU Blue Card (Directive (EU) 2021/1883 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2021 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment), which is a work and residence permit for non-European Union/European Economic Area nationals that provides comprehensive socio-economic rights and a path towards permanent residence and European Union citizenship.
17Finally, States should foster positive communication and information in local communities and counter hate speech in public discourse. A shift from emergency approaches to tackle immigration to structural and sustainable approaches is crucial.