• fr
  • en

Demographic change: what will mountains be like in 2050?

How will the population in mountain communities evolve until 2050? How will age groups be distributed in the coming decades? Will demographic trends be the same in all mountainous regions? These were among the questions recently answered in the Joint Research Centre study “The Demographic Landscape of EU Territories”.

« Ageing is at the heart of the challenges facing mountain areas »

Like in other rural areas, ageing in mountainous regions is explained by other demographic challenges such as population decline, and even depopulation, and low population density. Yet, the study also stresses that altitude, lack of services like transport and remoteness are additional factors which, in the mountains, lead to a loss of attractiveness and thus an ageing population. These elements explain that mountain areas in the EU host on average a higher proportion of older adults than other territories.

Based on the demographic forecasts, the study expects Greece, Cyprus, Sweden and Portugal to be in the future the countries with the highest proportions of elderly population in mountainous areas in the EU. The transformation for some regions will be especially challenging, like in Slovakia where the population above 65 in mountain areas is expected to almost double by 2050 or in Poland, Slovenia, Austria and Spain, where the ageing population will increase by more than 60% in mountain areas. Only a few mountainous regions are foreseen to see their senior population decrease, such as South-East France, Finland and in some parts of the Balkans.

If the gap between mountainous and non-mountainous areas is foreseen to shrink from 2030, mountain areas will in any case be confronted with ageing. With an increase of older adults from 21% in 2011 to 30% in 2050, mountain areas will have to develop targeted policies in the coming decades in order to address the specific needs of older generations.

Younger generations on the move?

The study also reports on the foreseen evolutions of the working population and the youth. Trends expect France, Finland and Poland to register the highest proportions of children (under 15) in mountainous areas. In countries like Slovakia, Poland, and Romania, it is also foreseen that the working population (15-64) in mountainous areas will be above the EU average.

However, if some mountain areas will maintain a relatively stable population, most countries are expected to be affected by population decline in the coming decades. Population decline in mountain areas is foreseen to concern both children and the working age population. The trend will in particular be important in Southern countries (Portugal, Croatia, Greece, Southern Italy and Sardinia), Slovakia, at the border between Slovenia and Austria and in the Southern Carpathians in Romania and the Rhodopes mountains in Bulgaria.

How to cope with these demographic challenges?

Population decline and ageing will globally affect all mountain areas in Europe, with different degrees as previously mentioned. Yet, there are solutions to address demographic changes in our regions.

As mentioned in the JRC study, the European Parliament adopted in 2018 a resolution on the specific needs of rural, mountainous and remote areas, which demonstrated that a balanced and sustainable development in mountain areas offers the possibility to turn challenges into opportunities with adequate policy attention. In particular, the resolution called for a real European Agenda for these regions, building on the opportunities offered by Smart Villages, innovation, and tourism to counterbalance demographic dynamics and natural assets. Euromontana can only hope that the Communication on the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas, expected by June 2021, will provide adequate solutions to overcome these challenges.

Moreover, the Silver Economy can help mountainous areas to cope with ageing by providing adapted goods and services to older adults. As reminded by the authors of the study, not only this sector can enhance healthy and active ageing in our regions, but it can also encourage business creation and contribute to attracting the working age population. This is why Euromontana is currently involved in the Interreg Europe SILVER SMEs project, which aims to improve regional policies supporting the development of the Silver Economy in rural and mountainous areas. Discover in SILVER SMEs’ 3 thematic best practices brochures how the Silver Economy can improve seniors’ housing and well-being and how regional policies can better support this economic sector.

Share
24 February 2021

Euromontana sur Facebook

2 days ago

Euromontana
We were today at the European Committee of the Regions too meet with regional policymakers from the Carpathians ⛰🤝 Thank you to Witold Kozłowski from the Małopolska region - also a new member of our Board of Directors - for our discussions!𝗪𝘀𝗽𝗼́𝗹𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗠𝗮ł𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗹𝘀𝗸𝗶 𝗶 𝘀𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗶 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗻𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗿. 👍Obecność wicemarszałka Witold Kozłowski w Brukseli podczas 163. Sesji Plenarnej Europejskiego Komitetu Regionów dała okazję do spotkania z dyrektorem Europejskiego Stowarzyszenia Obszarów Górskich Euromontana Guillaume Corradino. | Więcej 👇 ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

3 days ago

Euromontana
One month since the #mountainconvention2024 in Puigcerdà! 🏔️ What future for #mountaineconomies? Find all the key insights in the event report! 📝🙏 Thank you to all stakeholders who shared their ideas, projects and recommendations for a brighter future in the mountains!Report 🔗 www.euromontana.org/outcomes ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

5 days ago

Euromontana
Explore the new guide on ‘rural proofing for the evaluation of the rural perspective in laws, policies, plans and strategies’: bit.ly/3O995FiPublished by the Red Española de Desarrollo Rural (REDR), it intends to support authorities in incorporating a rural angle when designing, implementing, and reviewing policies and regulations.Find more information here: bit.ly/4ev41FK #RuralPact #RuralVisionEUELARD aisbl EESC - European Economic and Social Committee European Rural Development Network ODRAZ-Održivi razvoj zajednice Prepare AISBL Luonnonvarakeskus Smeunited Euromontana Diesis Network Wallonie.be ECOLISE EU CAP Network Netzwerk Zukunftsraum Land Vlaams Ruraal Netwerk Réseau wallon PAC Ruralni razvoj RH Ministerstvo zemědělství Netwerk Platteland / Netherlands Rural Network Maaeluvõrgustik Maaseutu - Tilaa elämälle Réseau national Agricultures et Ruralités 2023 - 2027 Deutsche Vernetzungsstelle Ländliche Räume Εθνικό Αγροτικό Δίκτυο - Greek National Rural Network Magyar Nemzeti Vidéki Hálózat CAP Network Ireland Rete Rurale Nazionale Lauku tīkls Ministère de l'Agriculture, de l'Alimentation et de la Viticulture Fondi.eu Krajowa Sieć Obszarów Wiejskich+ Rede Rural Nacional Rețeaua Rurală Națională - RRN Mreža za podeželje ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

2 weeks ago

Euromontana
Today, members of the Rural Pact Coordination Group (RPCG) meet online to discuss: • The forthcoming RPCG Declaration on the future of EU rural policy, which addresses the open questions in the @European Commission’s ‘key achievements and ways forward’ report;• RPCG members’ position papers on the future of Europe’s rural areas;• RPCG members’ role in the Rural Pact Conference of April 2025;• Members’ actions to date & the Rural Pact Support Office 2025 work programme.More information at: bit.ly/4fwtjnS#RuralPact #RuralVisionEU ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

Euromontana sur Twitter