Trends Identified
Increasing national, regional and local budgetary deficits and diverging investment patterns in local and regional authorities
The budgetary deficits at national, regional and local level have risen, but the situation varies widely throughout the EU depending on economic and social positions. Also the investment climate has suffered with diverging borrowing costs and investment levels throughout the EU.
2014
Challenges at the horizon 2025
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Growing erosion of European solidarity
The EU Cohesion Policy for the period 2013-2020 is an important element to boost public and private investment and contribute to economic growth, employment, sustainable development and social cohesion in the EU and the LRAs. However, cash strapped LRAs are challenged to have sufficient access to the necessary financial resources to be able to use the EU Cohesion Policy effectively.43 The challenge is related to more decentralisation of key powers from central to subnational governments; however, this trend has not been followed by the transfer of financial resources.
2014
Challenges at the horizon 2025
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Ageing and uneven population developments
Over the coming decades the overall population of the EU is projected to grow but it will be much older than it is now.
2014
Challenges at the horizon 2025
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Solidarity and rising healthcare and pension costs and growth of third age economy
The effects on solidarity will be felt throughout the EU and present serious challenges with momentous budgetary consequences.
2014
Challenges at the horizon 2025
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Growing individual empowerment
Against the background of the economic and financial crisis, it is more urgent than ever to fundamentally review the manner in which society functions and to empower people to contribute actively in their communities to live as independently as long as possible
2014
Challenges at the horizon 2025
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Growing immigration and problems of integrating minorities
Immigration in the EU will continue but decelerate between 2010 and 2060. The EU annual net inflows are projected to rise from about 1,043,000 people in 2010 (0.2% of the EU population) to 1,332,500 by 2020 and thereafter declining to 945,000 people by 2060. The cumulated net migration to the EU over the entire projection period is 60.7 million. Migration trends vary across the EU Member States. Net migration flows are likely to be concentrated to a few destination countries: Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. Countries currently experiencing a net outflow are projected to taper off or reverse in the coming decades.65 Effectively integrating migrants in their host society also presents challenges for integration policy, particularly in view of diversity and minorities. Migrants might be challenged by labour market and social integration barriers.
2014
Challenges at the horizon 2025
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Growing scale and urgency of climate change
There is no substantial doubt about the trend in global warming and there is a growing scale and urgency of climate change with global warming of more than 2C.
2014
Challenges at the horizon 2025
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
EU energy security
The importance of energy security and dependence will grow and is likely to become the EU’s Achilles heel.
2014
Challenges at the horizon 2025
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Rising consumption of raw materials and water. Rising pressure on land and global food insecurity
Every European citizen consumes 16 tonnes of materials annually, of which six tonnes are wasted, with half going to landfills. This consumption pattern stands in stark contrast to limited and increasingly expensive resources. Businesses are facing rising costs for essential raw materials and minerals, their scarcity and price volatility are having a damaging effect on the economy. These consumption patterns put further pressure on sources of minerals, metals and energy, and stocks of fish, timber, water, fertile soils, clean air, biomass and biodiversity.
2014
Challenges at the horizon 2025
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Growing vulnerability of cities to climate change
Climate change influences climate conditions (temperature, rainfall and the magnitude of extreme weather events). Over the coming years, extreme weather events in LRAs will give an indication of situations projected for later this century. For instance, droughts and peak summer temperatures will be gradually more common in the Mediterranean regions. Winter floods and summer droughts will increasingly become more frequent in continental Europe while storms, heavy rainfalls and mild winters alter biophysical conditions in Western Europe.
2014
Challenges at the horizon 2025
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)