Challenges for Europe, Economic Well-Being, Development and Social Cohesion

Abstract

International migration in Europe is characterised by a growing number of short-term, long-term and permanent migrants. On the one hand, this is the consequence of higher international labour mobility in the epoque of globalisation resulting from changing needs and structures of national labour markets and increasingly internationalised labour demand and supply. Europe needs migrants today, and many countries in the region will need even more in future in order to meet changing labour-market requirements, counter work force decline and population ageing, and help social security systems stay in balance. Immigration is clearly a palliative at times of labour shortages in host countries. Evidence shows that immigration has generally positive effects on economic growth and employment. However, it is only one element of solving the challenges of demographic, labour market and economic changes in Europe.