02/10/2026 Session
The demographic change in Europe, marked by low birth rates, population ageing, shrinking cohorts of working-age people and depopulation of rural areas, requires adaptation and mitigation measures “that focus on people’s rights, choices and empowerment”, PACE said today, by adopting a resolution based on a report by Georgios Stamatis (Greece, EPP/CD).
The adopted text emphasises that “this profound demographic change” results from a combination of factors: economic insecurity, high costs of housing and childcare, difficulties in reconciling work and family life, fertility issues, unequal sharing of care responsibilities, weakness of public services and insufficient support for disadvantaged families.
In this context, PACE called on member states to adopt coherent, long-term and inclusive demographic strategies and action plans, and to “strengthen family-friendly measures” in all their diversity.
It recommends, in particular, improving affordability and accessibility of childcare; guaranteeing access to reproductive health; expanding and better compensating parental leave for mothers and fathers, strengthening legal measures against workplace discrimination linked to motherhood and caregiving; encouraging flexible working arrangements, and investing in social housing for young adults.
Beyond mainstream policies supporting parenthood, PACE called on member states to implement policies to promote “active ageing”, autonomy and lifelong learning, and to strengthen quality long-term care and accessibility, recognising older persons as contributors to intergenerational solidarity.