Quote:

the G-man said:
Europe's 'baby bust' signals major change

    In the cradle of Western civilization, the cradles are empty. From the Atlantic to the Urals, in good and bad economies, in Protestant and Catholic societies, the countries of Europe are witnessing an unprecedented decline in birthrates.

    This "baby bust," analysts warn, will affect economic growth, social-welfare programs, patterns of immigration and Europe's ability to pull its weight diplomatically, culturally and militarily in the 21st century.

    The dearth of babies, coupled with longer life spans for today's elderly, "have major implications for our prosperity, living standards and relations between the generations," according to a "green paper" on demographic change issued by the European Commission earlier this year.

    With fewer younger workers in Europe supporting more older pensioners, the immediate worry has been the fate of generous welfare and social protection systems across the continent.

    The United Nations, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and even the CIA have published major studies on the economic and social consequences of Europe's baby bust.

    The CIA analysis generated headlines across the continent with apocalyptic warnings that Europe's social safety structures face collapse in a little more than a decade if the demographic meltdown is not addressed.

    "The current EU welfare state is unsustainable and the lack of economic revitalization could lead to the splintering or, at worst, disintegration of the EU, undermining its ambitions to play a heavyweight international role," according to the forecast released in January.

    Even Pope Benedict XVI has weighed in on the population drain in an August address, saying the decline in birthrates in Europe "has deprived some nations of the freshness, the energy, the future embodied in children."




Yawn....
Heard it. About ten years ago. Nothing new from the agencies or Ratzo.

BTW Europe bashers. When the EUR came out it traded as low .75 v. USD. Yet today, despite the turmoil in France, it closed Weds, 11-23-05 at 1.17. after a high for the year of 1.39. Yup, sounds like the EU is on it's last legs!