Demographic Change

Post-war generations: A snapshot from the early stages of demographic change in the 1950s.

Germany has experienced a profound demographic shift with far-reaching implications. This transformation is marked by several key trends that are reshaping society and individual lives in ways that we are only beginning to understand:
 

  • increasing life expectancy
  • persistently low birth rates
  • women having their first child at an older age
  • an aging population reshaping the age pyramid
  • a rise in households with few persons
  • depopulation of certain rural areas
  • a growing share of residents with migration backgrounds
  • an increase in age-related illnesses such as dementia.

At the same time, they present urgent and complex challenges for policymakers: challenges that require forward-thinking solutions developed well in advance. Successfully navigating this evolving landscape depends on carefully analysing the underlying causes and exploring viable options for action. Because demographic change touches on so many interconnected issues, tackling it demands collaboration across a wide range of disciplines.

Starting in 2014, the research commission on Demographic Change brought together experts from both divisions of the Academy and beyond, creating a vibrant interdisciplinary forum. It also responded to a call from the Government of the State of Lower Saxony, facilitating a crucial exchange of ideas on the political and social challenges posed by demographic shifts. The commission grappled with pressing questions such as:

  • How can healthcare systems provide for an ageing population without unbearable financial strain?
  • What ethical dilemmas emerge when medical care must be rationed?
  • How can society support a growing number of people in need of care?
  • What migration patterns are likely, and how can integration be successfully fostered?
  • What happens to infrastructure, social services, and administration as rural areas shrink and age?
  • How should education systems adapt to longer working lives and rapid technological change?
  • What impact will demographic trends have on the future prosperity of society?
  • How can pension systems remain sustainable amid shifting age demographics?
  • What does “intergenerational justice” really mean, and how can it be maintained in an ageing society?
  • Should governments attempt to slow demographic change, and if so, how?

While the Commission could not address every facet of this complex phenomenon, it focused intently on select issues within the expertise of its members. Regular thematic meetings fostered lively discussions and knowledge exchange. These in turn led to the development of working papers that provided a solid foundation for ongoing dialogue with policymakers.

 

Commission Members

Chair: Prof Dr Andreas Busch

Prof Dr Mathias Bähr / Prof Dr Gerd Hasenfuß / Prof Dr Stephan Klasen / Prof Dr Matthias Koenig / Prof Dr Heyo K. Kroemer / Prof Dr Steffen-Matthias Kühnel / Prof Dr Doris Lemmermöhle / Prof Dr Renate Ohr / Prof Dr Ilona Ostner / Prof Dr Bettina Schöne-Seifert / Prof Dr Dirk Schumann / Prof Dr Eva Schumann / Prof Dr Andreas Spickhoff / Prof Dr Achim Spiller / Prof Dr Holmer Steinfath / Prof Dr Stefan Tangermann