At the very end of the year, citizens, public figures, representatives of business, the non-governmental sector and scientific circles discussed the demographic challenges in Europe during a round table on the topic of “Demographic Challenges in Europe - a dialogue on trends and solutions in demographic policy”. The forum was organized by the European party “Europe of Sovereign Nations”, established at the initiative of “Vazrazhdane” and “Alternative for Germany”.
Video addresses to the attendees were made by Stanislav Stoyanov - MEP from “Vazrazhdane” in the European Parliament, Chairman of “Europe of Sovereign Nations” and vice-chairman of the parliamentary group of the same name, and the chairman of the “Sovereignty” Foundation - Alexander Zell.
“The European Union (EU) does not offer solutions, but too often creates problems itself, Europe needs change, said MEP Stanislav Stoyanov, chairman of the “Europe of Sovereign Nations” party and vice-chairman of the parliamentary group of the same name in the European Parliament, in a video address. For a long time, decisions affecting 450 million Europeans have been made by bureaucrats, the Green Deal slows down growth, and more and more regulations put pressure on industries and farmers, he added. The demographic crisis is deepening, and uncontrolled migration makes the situation even more worrying. Our identity is built on Christianity, community and family. Today, our identity and civilization are under threat, but there is also a path for sovereign nations and Europe can once again be an inspiration for the world. It is time to bring Europe back strong, confident and free,” said MEP Stanislav Stoyanov.
Alexander Zell - the chairman of the “Sovereignty” Foundation, added: “We need committed and well-educated brave citizens, ready to sacrifice their personal time, who will dedicate themselves to preserving our European civilization, because it is under threat.” According to him, Europe is threatened by mass migration, the European elite does not work in the interests of citizens, but is served and enriched by war. According to him, in various countries in Europe, including Bulgaria, “unelected elites decide our fate.”
The chairman of the “Vazrazhdane” was the first among the speakers at the event.
“The demographic situation is one of the most important problems, we have always been interested in solutions that can be political and physical, because there will be no demographic problem if more children are born and there are more stable families, but we see that this is not happening in our country, said the chairman of “Vazrazhdane“ - Kostadin Kostadinov. When we talk about politics, the conversation should not be based only on money, such problems are also solved by promoting values - of children and the family as a value. If we manage to do it together and this becomes a strategy, I believe that we will start to push ourselves off the bottom, he said. We will fight this battle and we have no battle that we have started and have not ended with a victory, added Kostadinov.
Among the speakers were also Spas Tashev, Yuri Aslanov, Iliya Tenev, Viktor Papazov, Valentin Saykov and Adrian Asenov.
Spas Tashev, head of the “Demography” department at the Institute for Population Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, cited data from his report on demographic models in Europe. In Germany, the total fertility rate has been maintained below 1.6 for decades, while it should be 2.1, he gave an example and specified that the natural increase there remains negative. In France, a higher birth rate has traditionally been reported compared to other EU countries, but in recent years a decline has been observed, despite the developed system of family and social policy. In Hungary and Slovakia, there are significant financial, tax and social incentives for families with children, but also the preservation of negative natural growth despite these efforts, Tashev also said.
According to him, the countries in Southern Europe have some of the lowest birth rates on the continent - a very low total fertility rate, delayed parenthood, high average age for first birth, etc. Italy, Spain and Greece have the lowest total fertility rate. There are demographic imbalances in Russia and Belarus, with Russia experiencing demographic decline and significant internal disparities, and the total fertility rate is around 1.4, and the average population density is around 8-9 people per sq. km. There are also strong territorial contrasts. In Belarus, the situation is somewhat similar, he commented.
In Western and Central Europe, the population is quantitatively preserved, but qualitatively changing, with the population of foreign origin growing. Bulgaria has a low birth rate, with clearly expressed internal dynamics over the last decade, Tashev also said, pointing out that in the period 2020 - 2023, 1.8 children per mother are reported. In Bulgaria, the average age of the mother for the first birth is constantly increasing, which leads to a limitation of the potential for compensating for the low birth rate. This trend is difficult to influence by short-term policy. Bulgaria is among the countries with a permanent negative natural growth - with a low birth rate and high mortality. The demographic decline is doubly determined - by the low birth rate and migration. Mostly young people are emigrating, and mostly adults who are not of childbearing age are settling. Currently, 40% of the country's territory is a demographic desert with a population of less than 10 people per sq. km, he added.
Yuriy Aslanov drew attention to migration as a key factor in the demographic picture. He emphasized that the main problem is not only the low birth rate, but the long-term emigration of young people, related to economic conditions, regional inequalities and the feeling of lack of perspective.
Ilia Tenev drew attention to the connection between the labor market and demographic processes. In his words, low incomes and the uncertain economic environment lead to the postponement of family formation and strengthen migration attitudes among young people.
Victor Papazov presented an economic analysis, which emphasized that demographic processes follow economic realities. According to him, the lack of sustainable economic development and regional employment opportunities leads to a drain of human capital with long-term consequences for society.
Valentin Saykov focused on demographic policy as part of a broader social strategy. He pointed out that improving the standard of living, access to healthcare and education is a key condition for retaining young people.
Adrian Asenov drew attention to regional imbalances and the depopulation of entire territories. According to him, economic inequalities and the lack of perspective outside the big cities have a lasting impact on demographic dynamics.
In conclusion, the participants united around the need for demographic policy to be an integral part of the economic and social strategy of the countries and the European Union, based on sustainable growth, effective institutions and a long-term vision for development.