Nothing is as constant as Change.
At a glance
- Since the start of the 1970s, death rates have exceeded birth rates in Germany. Immigration alone is to thank for the fact that the Federal Republic of Germany’s population has remained stable to this day.
- The low birth rate is increasingly becoming a problem for politics and society. It confronts the German social and health system with major challenges.
- The problem of an ageing society is being afforded more importance not only in Germany, but also in many European countries and various regions around the world.
- The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung examines the complex aspects of demographic change and its analyses consider how the welfare state can be designed in a way that is sustainable and fair for all generations.
Content
1. Politics and society face major challenges
2. The global population is ageing
3. A question of social cohesion
4. Our offers and projects on the topic
5. Publications, events and media contributions on the topic
Scarcely any social phenomenon has such numerous and long-lasting effects on society as demographic change. From ageing and shrinking of the population, new forms of coexistence between generations and with people from different cultural backgrounds, through to structural changes such as the depopulation of entire rural areas and cities. Demographic change raises many questions about different social and economic aspects.
Politics and society face major challenges
Since the early 1970s., the death rate has exceeded the number of births in Germany. It is thanks to the immigration of ethnic German emigrants and (ethnic German) re-settlers, guest workers, refugees and skilled workers that the number of people living in the federal territory has not decreased over the past decades.
Nevertheless, the low birth rate increasingly results in ageing society and, especially due to the baby boomer generation already going into retirement, Germany’s social and health care system faces serious challenges.
This raises various questions: How can the German welfare state be made sustainable and fair for all generations? What legislative adjustments will be necessary? Or quite generally: What is the glue that holds our society together even in times of demographic change?
The global population is ageing
What is more, this phenomenon of a declining birth rate and ensuing ageing of society does not only affect Germany, but occurs in various regions across Europe and throughout the world. How are other countries affected by demographic change, and what strategies are being pursued abroad to deal with demographic challenges? Which approaches can Germany learn from?
A question of social cohesion
In order to deal with such issues, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has established the division “Demographic Change” in the Department for “Social Cohesion”. In order to represent different aspects of this broad topic area, cooperation increasingly takes place across departments and close involvement is sought with the country offices.
Our offers and projects on the topic
Event series
Demographic change poses great challenges for our society, which also result in the generations drifting apart. A meaningful, compulsory activity that offers individual development and skills acquisition opportunities could strengthen social bonding and social cohesion again. Against this background, the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation has created the event series “ChancenZeit”, in which we would like to lead the discourse about a mandatory year of society.
ChancenZeit – together for society
ChancenZeit – together for society
Street survey for the social year
(only in German)
YouTube, onlinekas
The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine led to an intensified discussion in Germany about the introduction of general conscription. As a result, the CDU decided at its 35th federal party conference to campaign for a mandatory “society year”. However, this idea is controversial and has been met with objections and concerns.
One solution could be to make the time frame more flexible and emphasize the individual opportunities and benefits of a year of service. In order to enable a balanced dialogue about advantages and disadvantages as well as possible alternatives, the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation organizes nationwide events under the motto “ChancenZeit – together for society”.
Publications to the topic
Adobe Stock / Imagecreator / Generiert mit KI
More people, more power?
Why human capital counts when it comes to climbing the global power ladder
Adobe Stock / Sir_Oliver
„Just not that the constitution protection authorities ring my doorbell“
The spread of right-wing and left-wing extremist attitudes in Germany
Weniger Arbeit, mehr Freizeit?
Neue Perspektiven auf Generationenunterschiede und Arbeitsorientierungen
Adobe Stock / abr68
Wake-up call for integration policy
The crime statistics 2023 show the need for integration policy action
S Amelie Walter, stock.adobe.com
„Adaption, that is how to deal with low fertility that just might be here to stay“
Interview with Professor Mikko Myrskylä on birth trends in Europe and possibilities to tackle demographic change
Adobe Stock / Dr.Söd / Generated with AI
The digital divide in society
Results from a representative survey on artificial intelligence
Adobe Stock/ nadezhda1906
Pathways to the third child
An international comparison of family policy measures
Fiscal opportunities and risks of migration in the context of demographic change
On the potentials and challenges of managed migration
DPM
No Country For Old Men?
Amerikas betagte Präsidentschaftskandidaten als Krise des volkssouveränen Körpers
Adobe Stock / Manuel Schönfeld
Human Dignity - New Challenges
Socio-political issues in the context of human dignity
IMAGO / ITAR-TASS
Russia's Demographic Policy in the Context of the War
Long-term challenges for the Russian Federation
Adobe Stock / Sheviakova
Generation is less than Age
Representative surveys on age differences in voting behaviour, values, anxieties and political participation
Event Reports on the topic
Weniger Beitragszahler, Fachkräfte und junge Menschen –
Der demographische Wandel als Herausforderung für Wirtschaft und gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt – Eine Bilanz des 43. #HessenKAS Facebook-Live vom 16.11.2023
KAS/Ludwig
Was eint uns in schwierigen Zeiten?
Vortrags- und Diskussionsabend mit Bundestagspräsident a. D. Wolfgang Thierse
Foto von Andrea Piacquadio von Pexels
Nachhaltigkeit und Generationengerechtigkeit als gelebte Politikpraxis
Pixabay/Gerd Altmann
„Das wichtige ist, dass wir den Elitenbegriff neu besetzen. Grundsätzlich zählt für mich zur Elite, w...
„Haus macht Stadt“
Stadtplaner und Politiker diskutierten, was Wien so lebenswert macht – und was Berlin daraus lernen kann