MIGRATION PROCESSES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION IN THE CONTEXT OF DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES

Abstract

The paper is dedicated to the study of migration processes in the European Union under the negative demographic tendencies in the united Europe. It is determined that the aging of the population, which is characteristic of countries with a high level of economic development, and the decrease in the share of young people has a threatening scale and deepens the problem of the tax burden on the working population in the EU, also causing a labor shortage. The consequences of population aging for the labor market have been determined. The age structure of the population across member states study is analyzed as well as the main trends characterizing the residence of young people in the EU countries. An assessment of external migration flows was carried out, in particular, the peculiarities of the influx of migrants by country and the concentration of non-nationals living in the territory were considered. In particular, it has been determined that the most developed countries of the union are the main centers of attraction for both external and internal migrants, where at the same time the largest number of young people live. Particular attention is paid to internal migration of the EU, which is possible due to the free movement of the population and plays an important role primarily in the movement of the population of working age, mainly young people. The ratio of internal and external migration by EU countries was considered, and the countries characterized by significant losses of labor potential due to the emigration of the population to other EU countries were identified. It is summarized that external migration does not have a significant impact on the demographic situation in the EU as a whole, while internal migration causes an imbalance in the distribution of labor force within the union. It is emphasized that in such conditions, the positive effects of migration, which make it possible to solve complex socio-economic issues both in the countries of emigration and in the receiving countries, remain unjustifiably underestimated. It is viewed, that regulated migration to the EU can be considered as a tool for solving both immediate problems on the labor market and as a mechanism for rejuvenating the population structure and its intellectualization by creating favorable conditions for the arrival of young specialists. The need for further research aimed at studying the impact of immigration of Ukrainian youth to the EU on the labor market and intellectual capital of the union is substantiated.