The Importance Of Emigration For The Solution Of Population Problems In Western Europe

This first publication of the Research Group for European Migration Problems is devoted to the importance of migration in Western Europe. Small wonder that espedally German sodal sdentists, living in a country invaded by millions and millions of refugees and expellees from Central and Eastern Europe, are paying so much attention to the solution of regional andnationaloverpopulation. It is doubtful whether we can speak of European overpopulation in general. Dr Hilde Wander's investigations make it dear that from a European point of view short distance migration may solve many problems for which up to now overseas emigration to Canada, Australia, etc. seemed to be the only remedy. Those talking about European integration (there still is much than real action) should keep in more discussion on this topic mind that the only way out of the present system of frustrations consists in economic and sodal freedom, i.e. a free flow of goods, capital and migrating people. The Research Group for European Migration Problems is an international committee promoting the study of one of the crudal sodal problems, rather neglected so far: a more effective distribution and spreading of the European population.

The publications of the Research Group for European mi gration problems represent studies by independent writers. These studies do not form an integrated whole, but are inter related by their subject, namely, European and international migration. The topic is, therefore, approached in various ways, like a discussion in which experts from different spheres of activity expose their views on population in Europe. The writers not necessarily always agree in their opinions. The series must do surely be all the more valuable be~ause of this, since the solution of the problem of over-population in Europe is of such great importance as to deserve a wide, multilateral approach. The author of the present publication, Mr. H. A. Citroen, is an official of the International Refugee Organization (I. R. O. ). It is not surprising that his approach should differ from that of Dr Hilde Wander, the author of the first publication of the series 1). Dr Wander has stressed the present demographic trends in the more important Western European countries, and the possibility of the absorption of an ever increasing number of workers into the economy of Europe itself. She is mainly thinking in terms of the integration of Europe. Mr. Citroen's idea, on the other hand, is that of "one world.

This volume investigates the challenges confronted by the European Union (EU) as an international actor deeply influenced by migration. This has been a key phenomenon in recent years and holds great political, economic and social importance for the future of the whole European continent. The book focuses on specific aspects related to East-West migration, such as the importance of migration for economic development and the multi-faceted impact of migration on sending countries, as well as recipient countries. It also includes an overview of the myriad of reasons which stand for the fundamental decision whether to emigrate or not. The collection offers a novel Eastern European perspective on contemporary migration, a hotly debated topic inside the European Union, which is far from being fully recognised and understood, and it also provides valuable, complex and comprehensive insight into the issue of South Eastern migration to Western Europe.

Even as the 2013-2017 “migration crisis” is increasingly in the past, EU countries still struggle to come up with alternative solutions to foster safe, orderly, and regular migration pathways, Europeans continue to look in the rear-view mirror.This Report is an attempt to reverse the perspective, by taking a glimpse into the future of migration to Europe. What are the structural trends underlying migration flows to Europe, and how are they going to change over the next two decades? How does migration interact with specific policy fields, such as development, border management, and integration? And what are the policies and best practicies to manage migration in a more coherent and evidence-based way?

Thesis (D.P.A.)--University of Georgia, 2001.

As Mr Petersen points out in this study, since the war there has been a very strong belief in the Netherlands that emigration is necessary. Even those who never before occupied themselves with these matters now speak of the large natural increase, the overpopulation, and the lack of opportunities in the Netherlands. Thousands are considering the possibility of leaving their home land and creating a new existence for themselves overseas. It is a mistake to suppose, however, that these ideas stem from the special demographic and economic conditions that arose in the Netherlands since the war; the opposite is the case. From this point of view, there has never been less reason for emigrating during the past decades than in these postwar years. As far as the demographic situation is concerned, by 1930 the natural increase had decreased markedly as compared with the preceding decades, so that the number of young persons entering the labor market after the war has been relatively small. On the other hand, there have been more openings in industry and in other sectors of the economy than ever before, so that unemploy ment pretty much disappeared. Only in 1951 did it again become at all significant.

This paper analyses the impact of large and persistent emigration from Eastern European countries over the past 25 years on these countries’ growth and income convergence to advanced Europe. While emigration has likely benefited migrants themselves, the receiving countries and the EU as a whole, its impact on sending countries’ economies has been largely negative. The analysis suggests that labor outflows, particularly of skilled workers, lowered productivity growth, pushed up wages, and slowed growth and income convergence. At the same time, while remittance inflows supported financial deepening, consumption and investment in some countries, they also reduced incentives to work and led to exchange rate appreciations, eroding competiveness. The departure of the young also added to the fiscal pressures of already aging populations in Eastern Europe. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for sending countries to mitigate the negative impact of emigration on their economies, and the EU-wide initiatives that could support these efforts.