For Hellas the demographic is “urgent problem” why it shows the weaknesses of the EU but to a greater extentwas highlighted at his conference Economist in unit “Managing the Demographic Emergency: The Next Steps for Europe”.

Speakers pointed out declining labor force and “see” solutions including skilled immigrantsthe entry of more women into the labor marketthe adjustment of retirement limits with life expectancy and prevention so that there is healthy aging.

– Wolfgang Fengler, former chief economist of the World Bank, head of the World Data Lab: How Greece can overcome the challenges

India has surpassed China in population and Greece must learn from the course of these countriesemphasized Wolfgang Fengler. The interest for Greece is the decreasing number of working ages. Of the 11 million population, Greece has 5 million over 50 years of age. The challenge also applies to Europe, but for Greece it is greater. We have a 9% decrease in births in Europe and 11% in Greece. The ages of workers are decreasing by 10% in Europe, instead of 15% in Greece.

“We need to settle this emergency of demographics” although Greece has done enough, it is the Economist’s honored country and has made many reforms at many levels.

To solve demographics, the first solution is immigration, with skills at the right age.

Greece in 2040 will lose half a million of its workforce. So the solution is immigrants, digital nomads who contribute with their taxation and their living in the country, he said, citing the example of Spain. It also needs full education for everyone and Greece is very strong in education has the best tech experts, many of whom leave and should be able to return.

Greece also needs to import more female staff and to provide incentives for those who want to work at older ages.

– Ivanka Salapatova, Minister of Labor and Social Policy of Bulgaria: Demography is our national priority

For Bulgaria the demographic according to the declaration of the prime minister of the country is “national priority” said Minister of Labor and Social Policy Ivanka Salapatova.

We need, he emphasized, new educated and specialized human capital as we have the characteristics of SE Europe with low birth rates, increasing aging and immigration. Ms. Salapatova also pointed to the high mortality rate as well as the lack of education in her country’s Roma communities, which number around 700,000.

We look forward, the minister said, to working with the EU both for expertise and for formulating a better strategy on the problem. She also added that her government has taken several steps with tax incentives for employers for areas with high unemployment, for vulnerable citizens, for the creation of daycare centers and families with children. We are also cooperating, he noted, with Greece for the integration of Ukrainian refugees.

– Jo Etienne Abella, Minister for the Elderly and Active Aging of Malta: Focus on prevention

Our own national strategic plans address active aging and dementia, said Malta’s Minister for the Elderly and Active Ageing. He also spoke about the increase in aging (19% over 65 in 2025) noting that the country of 500,000 inhabitants meets the needs of the pensioner, but retirement must be linked to life expectancy.

He placed special emphasis as a doctor, as he pointed out, on obesity prevention and good nutritionwith tests for vision, hearing, bone density, as well as smoking cessation and exercise.

On the problem of dementia, he said that the elderly should not be isolated here too, bridging the digital divide plays a role, and he asked the big pharmaceutical companies to work with governments to treat dementia. “One euro we give for prevention, 8 is returned to us by the economy”, he characteristically said.

– Gunnar Andersson professor of demography at Stockholm University : Balance in Sweden’s demographic structure

The balanced demographic structure in Sweden was described by Stockholm University demography professor Gunnar Andersson. Birth rates are close to the replacement rate, there is a work-life balance and the right culture in the labor market that facilitates the role of the mother, in addition to the facilities provided by the state.

There is also longevity and the elderly live healthily. Interestingly, the retirement limits have been increased, adjusted to life expectancy but, as he pointed out, this was done without social reactions.

Referring to Greece, he said that demographics are an “urgent problem” as ages between 40-50 make up a very high percentage and suggested that retirement should be linked to expectancy and that personal and professional life should be harmoniously combined.