The world is aging unevenly. While some regions remain demographically young, the Global North – Europe in particular – is facing a rapid contraction of its working-age population.
By 2050, for instance, over a third of Germany's population will be aged over 60, with the proportion of the very elderly (those over 80) rising to 10%. Consequently, shifting intergenerational dynamics, rising care needs and labor shortages mean that migration will be crucial to Europe’s future.
The first FutureLab in Berlin in June 2026 focused on the role of mobility in aging societies, exploring different scenarios of how demographic change and migration might interact over the coming decades. The exploration addressed deeper questions:
• What forms of mobility will emerge as Europe competes for younger talent?
• How will care systems function as domestic workforces shrink?
• How might social cohesion in Europe evolve as societies simultaneously age and become more diverse?
The FutureLab#1 Berlin examined developments affecting older people with limited mobility and increased care needs. It also considered the implications of these developments for younger generations, calling for a new intergenerational social pact that goes beyond a purely utilitarian approach to migration.