PFRDA

Why are some EU member-states actually LOSING population?

Examples would be Germany and most of the new eastern members. Their population levels are actually DECLINING at the moment, which is very bad, because it increases the so-called "worker-pensioner ratio." When you run a social democracy with pensions for retirees, those pensions are ultimately funded by the labor of people still in the workforce. A country like China doesn't have to worry about this, because there is no national pension system. But a country like Germany has to worry about this quite a lot, because there is a UNIVERSAL old-age pension system. Why are countries like Germany, which need MORE young workers, going into population DECLINE? And how will they correct this impending demographic disaster?

Public Comments

1. In undeveloped, say agricultural societies, people tend to gravitate towards the conclusion that they should have lots of kids. Kids can help harvest the crops. Kids might grow up, get rich, or could be married off for big cash. Being part of a big family can have all kinds of advantages in a poorly developed region with limited presence of governmental authority as well. In developed, say industrial type societies, kids cost big money to raise. There are no crops they can help harvest. And the family has all these other expenses to look at as well, which poor agricultural families do not: Utility bills, appliances, cars, insurance, bills for advanced medicine, etc. etc. etc.... People tend to gravitate towards the conclusion of having fewer children. All perfectly natural.
2. Probably because they are more crowded? Germany has 596 people per square mile, China has 363. For comparison, the US has 80. Next time, think about the obvious explanation, rather than trying to blame it on something random like pensions.
3. you''re right...china doesn't have to worry about it because they don't recieve a pension....but you forget that china's culture is to focus on your family.....they're kids support them......if the population is decreasing in gemany like it is in italy then they will have some problems.....if you ask me ppl are getting more and more selfish and just don't want to have kids....its sad really.......
4. The Link between the two Ps should be cut. The earth is overcrowded
5. All across the EU socialist policies lead to very high federal taxation, leads to people who cannot afford more children. When people see a hopeless future, they are not as inclined to reproduce. Socialism tastes great but it is not at all filling.