Ageing characterises the demographic perspectives of the European societies - Issue number 72/2008 - Products Statistics in Focus

This publication describes the results of the long term 2008-based national level population projections for Europe, assuming a scenario of demographic convergence, produced by Eurostat for the EU-27 Member States, Norway and Switzerland. Population projections are what-if scenarios that aim to provide information about the likely future size and structure of the population. Eurostat's population projections convergence scenario is one of several possible population change scenarios based on assumptions for fertility, mortality and migration. In particular, the assumptions have been developed in a conceptual framework of convergence of demographic values as a result of decreasing socio-economic and cultural differences between the Member States of the European Union, Norway and Switzerland. The current scenario is primarily used in the context of the European Commission's analysis of the impact of ageing populations on public spending.