Britain will overtake Germany and France to become the biggest country in the EU in 50 years' time, according to population projections unveiled yesterday. A survey of demographic trends finds Britain's positive birth rate contrasting strongly with most other large countries in Europe.The impact of population shrinkage, coupled with the ageing of key European societies, spells big problems for pensions, health and welfare systems across much of the union, says the report, published by Eurostat, the statistical service of the European commission. But Britain, it says, is likely to suffer less because of its strong population growth and the younger average age of British society.Immigration is singled out as the sole mitigating factor, seen as crucial to maintaining population growth. But the report says this probably will not be enough to reverse the trend of population decline in many countries.
Britain will overtake Germany and France to become the biggest country in the EU in 50 years' time, according to population projections unveiled yesterday. A survey of demographic trends finds Britain's positive birth rate contrasting strongly with most other large countries in Europe.
The impact of population shrinkage, coupled with the ageing of key European societies, spells big problems for pensions, health and welfare systems across much of the union, says the report, published by Eurostat, the statistical service of the European commission.
But Britain, it says, is likely to suffer less because of its strong population growth and the younger average age of British society.
Immigration is singled out as the sole mitigating factor, seen as crucial to maintaining population growth. But the report says this probably will not be enough to reverse the trend of population decline in many countries.
The survey predicts that Britain's population by 2060 will increase by 25% from the current figure of just over 61 million to almost 77 million. Germany is the biggest country in the EU, with more than 82 million people, but it is likely to shed almost 12 million by 2060, says the report. The widely praised family policies and support of working women in France means that the French population will rise to almost 72 million by 2060.
Germany is the biggest country in the EU, with more than 82 million people, but it is likely to shed almost 12 million by 2060, says the report. The widely praised family policies and support of working women in France means that the French population will rise to almost 72 million by 2060.
As noted recently, the central French population scenario is now to have 75M by 2050. But despite its "widely praised policies", the UK still must do better! And it turns me into SuperDupont to react to that, especially when there are errors in the article, like this one:
With the British birth rate now at its highest in a generation - 1.91 children per woman according to the Office for National Statistics last week (...) Of the biggest six EU countries (Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Spain and Poland) Britain has by far the greatest birth rates.
Of the biggest six EU countries (Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Spain and Poland) Britain has by far the greatest birth rates.
Hmmm. France's was 2.00 in 2006 and 1.98 in 2007. Can't they even use actual facts before bragging?
Sigh. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
The survey predicts that Britain's population by 2060 will increase by 25% from the current figure of just over 61 million to almost 77 million.
What it doesn't predict is that most of them will be trying desperately to move somewhere else.
The UK is overcrowded enough as it is, and except for the bobbly-headed noobs in the City, it's hardly the most pleasant or profitable place in Europe to make a living.
Also, it only needs a 1m rise in sea levels to put most of Lincolnshire and some of Somerset underwater.
In any case, there's a good chance we'll either have something not unlike a unified EU by then, or smouldering craters where cities used to be.
Either way, this is another silly piece of non-journalism.
