Demographic Change
Nothing is as constant as Change.
Scarcely any social phenomenon has such numerous and long-lasting effects on society as demographic change. From ageing and shrinking of the population, new forms of coexistence between generations and with people from different cultural backgrounds, through to structural changes such as the depopulation of entire rural areas and cities. Demographic change raises many questions about different social and economic aspects.
Demographic Change Presents Politics and Society with Challenges
Since the early 1970s., the death rate has exceeded the number of births in Germany. It is thanks to the immigration of ethnic German emigrants and (ethnic German) re-settlers, guest workers, refugees and skilled workers that the number of people living in the federal territory has not decreased over the past decades.
Nevertheless, the low birth rate increasingly results in ageing society and, especially due to the baby boomer generation already going into retirement, Germany’s social and health care system faces serious challenges.
This raises various questions: How can the German welfare state be made sustainable and fair for all generations? What legislative adjustments will be necessary? Or quite generally: What is the glue that holds our society together even in times of demographic change?
The Global Population Is Ageing
What is more, this phenomenon of a declining birth rate and ensuing ageing of society does not only affect Germany, but occurs in various regions across Europe and throughout the world. How are other countries affected by demographic change, and what strategies are being pursued abroad to deal with demographic challenges? Which approaches can Germany learn from?
A Question of Social Cohesion
In order to deal with such issues, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has established the division “Demographic Change” in the Department for “Social Cohesion”. In order to represent different aspects of this broad topic area, cooperation increasingly takes place across departments and close involvement is sought with the country offices.
Event Series
Demographic change poses great challenges for our society, which also result in the generations drifting apart. A meaningful, compulsory activity that offers individual development and skills acquisition opportunities could strengthen social bonding and social cohesion again. Against this background, the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation has created the event series “ChancenZeit”, in which we would like to lead the discourse about a mandatory year of society.
ChancenZeit – together for society
ChancenZeit – together for society
Street survey for the social year
(only in German)
YouTube, onlinekas
The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine led to an intensified discussion in Germany about the introduction of general conscription. As a result, the CDU decided at its 35th federal party conference to campaign for a mandatory “society year”. However, this idea is controversial and has been met with objections and concerns.
One solution could be to make the time frame more flexible and emphasize the individual opportunities and benefits of a year of service. In order to enable a balanced dialogue about advantages and disadvantages as well as possible alternatives, the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation organizes nationwide events under the motto “ChancenZeit – together for society”.
Publications to the topic
Adobe Stock/ nadezhda1906
Pathways to the third child
An international comparison of family policy measures
Fiscal opportunities and risks of migration in the context of demographic change
On the potentials and challenges of managed migration
DPM
No Country For Old Men?
Amerikas betagte Präsidentschaftskandidaten als Krise des volkssouveränen Körpers
Mehr Gesundheit im Alter!
Warum die Lebenserwartung in Deutschland vergleichsweise gering ist
Adobe Stock / Manuel Schönfeld
Human Dignity - New Challenges
Socio-political issues in the context of human dignity
Conflict in the Christian Community in Iraq
Internal conflicts of a millennial community
IMAGO / ITAR-TASS
Russia's Demographic Policy in the Context of the War
Long-term challenges for the Russian Federation
Adobe Stock / Sheviakova
Generation is less than Age
Representative surveys on age differences in voting behaviour, values, anxieties and political participation
Adobe Stock/LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS
ChancenZeit – Time of opportunities
Discussions about the future of a service to society
Pixabay / dMz
The world's most populous country
Blessing or curse?
Adobe Stock / Studio Romantic
From Marital Splitting to Family Splitting?
An Attempt to Rationalize the Debate
IMAGO / Hoch Zwei Stock/Angerer
Demographic Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Consequences of the Significant Decrease and Aging of the Population
Pixabay Geralt
ChatGPT in der Schule.
Künstliche Intelligenz als Herausforderung für den Unterricht
Risikofaktor Fachkräftemangel
Antworten der Bundesagentur für Arbeit
DPM
Punkte für Deutschland?
Alexander Throm, Innenpolitischer Sprecher der CDU/CSU-Bundestagsfraktion, über das Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz der Bundesregierung
DPM
Notstand und keine Ende?
Wege aus der Pflegekrise
Adobe Stock / nikkimeel
Is politics worthwhile on TikTok?
Empirical Study on the Use of TikTok and Political Information on the Platform
memento_jpeg/ Adobe Stock
The quality of early childhood education is what counts
Pedagogical quality of early childhood education as central factor for educational equality
Adobe Stock / beeboys
Generations across generations – Results from qualitative group discussions
Social analysis of attitudes and values of different generations in Germany
Martin Reuber
Macron Kampf für die Zukunft Frankreichs
Deutsch-französische Zukunftswerkstatt
Event Reports on the topic
Weniger Beitragszahler, Fachkräfte und junge Menschen –
Der demographische Wandel als Herausforderung für Wirtschaft und gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt – Eine Bilanz des 43. #HessenKAS Facebook-Live vom 16.11.2023
KAS
"Die Geschmeidigen"...
... im Spagat zwischen Versprechen, Erwartungen und Verantwortung
KAS
The coexistence of generations is the foundation of our democracy
KAS Day 2023
ChancenZeit - GeMEINsam für die Gesellschaft
World-Café im Gymnasium Großburgwedel
Schule ohne Lehrkräfte?
Probleme, Lösungsansätze und Zukunftsperspektiven
Thomas Ehlen /kas.de
ChancenZeit
Eindrücke von dem Wiesbadener Hauptstadtforum 28. April 2023
KAS/Ludwig
Was eint uns in schwierigen Zeiten?
Vortrags- und Diskussionsabend mit Bundestagspräsident a. D. Wolfgang Thierse
encierro/AdobeStock
Harnessing talent in Europe`s regions: Addressing population aging and decline
macgyverhh, stock.adobe.com
Generationengerechte Rente - eine Utopie?
Ehrenamt im Wandel
Engagement im Zeichen demographischer Veränderungen
Epidemie Einsamkeit
Wie umgehen mit der neuen gesellschaftlichen Herausforderung?
Einsamkeit ist eine gesellschaftlicher Herausforderung
Veranstaltungsbericht vom 11.05.2021
Foto von Andrea Piacquadio von Pexels
Nachhaltigkeit und Generationengerechtigkeit als gelebte Politikpraxis
Pixabay/Gerd Altmann
„Das wichtige ist, dass wir den Elitenbegriff neu besetzen. Grundsätzlich zählt für mich zur Elite, w...
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Fahrradtour durch das Ruhrgebiet
Engagiert für unser Bundesland!
Die Bedeutung des Ehrenamts für die Zukunft des Lebens in Sachsen-Anhalt
Zukunftsfeste Rente
Probleme und Perspektiven der Alterssicherung
„Vergreistes Land?“
Auswirkungen des demografischen Wandels auf Sachsen-Anhalt und Zukunftsvisionen