Landscapes of change: the territorial dimension of demographic change and cohesion policy

The session has discussed the significant demographic shifts anticipated in many EU regions over the next decade, with projections showing that in 10 years, some regions will have 20% more of their population aged 65 and over. This aging trend presents critical challenges, but the discussion underscored that we cannot apply uniform policies to regions that may share similar demographic tendencies but differ fundamentally in terms of their regional type, whether urban, rural, or peripheral. Each region's unique characteristics require tailored approaches.

To effectively address these changes, policies must be designed with a threefold focus: mitigation, adaptation, and amelioration. Mitigation efforts could involve strategies to slow down or manage the effects of aging populations, while adaptation means adjusting infrastructures, services, and economies to better serve aging communities. Amelioration would focus on improving the quality of life and long-term prospects for these populations.

The session also highlighted that all policies are, in one way or another, demographic policies, as they inherently impact population dynamics—whether through economic development, housing, health care, or education. Importantly, the discussion emphasized that a decrease in population size should not be equated with a reduction in investment needs. In fact, regions experiencing population decline may require even greater investment to ensure that aging populations have adequate access to essential services and infrastructure, and to maintain economic vitality. The complexities of demographic change call for nuanced, region-specific policies that go beyond simple population statistics to support both current and future generations.