The magnitude of the demographic challenges we face, their direct impact on the EU's competitiveness and the daily lives of our citizens require that demography be seen as one of the EU's priorities,

said Deputy Minister Jan Szyszko.

All EU Member States are currently facing demographic challenges. According to European Commission estimates, around 30 per cent of the EU population will be over 65 years of age by 2030, and by 2050, the working-age population will decrease by 27 million people compared to 2009. 

The scale of demographic change varies not only between countries, but also between regions. These processes occur at different speeds and intensities. At the same time, some regions are facing multiple challenges, such as an ageing population, depopulation and an exodus of young and skilled people from rural areas and small towns. These challenges affect less developed regions in particular. Cohesion policy can therefore be an important place-based tool to influence regions.

The Deputy Minister stressed that Poland has one of the fastest ageing populations in Europe and a persistently low birth rate.

Secretary of State Jan Szyszko pointed out that the Treaty objective of cohesion should be the goal of all EU policies. We are therefore in favour of firmly anchoring the cohesion issue in the European Semester. 

The EU needs a comprehensive strategy that identifies objectives and priorities for action in terms of territorial development and cohesion. Their implementation requires both reforms and investments to be made at the national and regional levels. The extent of the changes should be determined by member states and regions,

said the Deputy Minister.

Jan Szyszko added that it is extremely important to ensure that the measures taken respond to real needs and provide a comprehensive approach developed within territorial structures.