Last Edited: 5 months ago
Exploring Demographic Change for a Future-Oriented EU R&I System1
Presentation of a foresight study
Europe’s Research and Innovation (R&I) system is entering a period of profound change. Demographic decline, rapid technological shifts, and constrained funding are beginning to alter student intake, the graduate pipeline, and research career prospects. By 2050, Europe’s population structure will look markedly different:
- The share of people aged 85+ will more than double, reaching around 10% of the population.
- The workforce is expected to shrink by 12%—equivalent to roughly 25 million people.
- The EU will have over 3 million fewer young people under 20, reducing the talent pool entering education and research.
These shifts raise fundamental questions for the future of Europe’s R&I landscape. To address them, DG Research & Innovation commmissioned a study “The Demographic Turn: Actions Needed for Research, Innovation and Policy in Europe”, which explores possible futures for Europe's R&I system and highlights how demographic pressure could become a driver of renewal and transformation.
The study delivers:
- Background data showing a shrinking youth population, a declining workforce, and growing fiscal pressures on R&I funding.
- A six-step foresight approach combining horizon scanning, scenario-building, and windtunneling to anticipate future challenges.
- Four Scenarios illustrating different pathways for Europe’s R&I system.
- Strategic actions to protect fundamental research, enable lifelong learning, strengthen regional innovation, and build societal trust in technology.
Posted on: 25/09/2025
