Europe’s demographic future
Europe’s demographic future
On 10 December 2025, DG Research & Innovation hosted a hybrid event to present the Foresight-on-Demand (FOD) study: “The Demographic Turn: Actions Needed for Research, Innovation and Policy in Europe?”
FOD team members Michał Nadziak and Katarzyna Figiel (both 4CF employees), and Viola Peter guided the audience through:
- Background data showing a shrinking youth population, a declining workforce, and growing fiscal pressures on R&I funding.
- A six-step Foresight Process 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, foster lifelong learning, strengthen regional innovation, and build societal trust in technology.
A big thank you to the panelists Erik Canton, Maciej Krzysztofowicz, Thomas Estermann, Brikena Xhomaqi, and Alexander Petropoulos for sharing their expertise, and to all participants for an engaging exchange on how to build a more adaptive and resilient EU R&I system!
Missed the event? Explore the project page featuring the final report, 2-page summary, and presentation!
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