Population Dynamics in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and development agenda Marta Diavolova, Programme Adviser, EECA RO, UNFPA Regional Conference The Middle-Income Countries Prospective on Sustainable Development in CIS, Eastern and Southern Europe May 2013, Minsk Round table 2

Questions: Is population ageing a threat for the countries? Is migration a threat or opportunity for development? Is fertility in the region too low? Are countries becoming less equal societies? Themes: Investment in human capital, particularly education and health, is essential. Societies can prosper without growing populations.

South-Eastern Europe (SEE): Albania, Montenegro Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey Eastern Europe and Caucasus (EEC): Armenia; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Georgia; Republic of Moldova; Russian Federation; Ukraine Central Asia (CA): Kazakhstan: Kyrgyzstan; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; Uzbekistan

Is population ageing a threat for the countries?

Table 1.5 Health-Adjusted Life Expectancy South-Eastern Europe 65.9 Eastern Europe and Caucasus 60.2 Central Asia 57.5 New EU States 66.7 EU Western Europe - Non EU Member 74.4 North America and Israel 70.4 Total 68.0

Solutions and interventions Take a long-term, holistic approach to population issues; Focus on people rather than numbers Reconsider assumptions about low fertility and ageing Take a cross-sectoral approach to migration Make gradual and continuous policy changes to support the vitality of ageing populations Invest in human capital throughout the life-cycle Strengthen regional cooperation and governance

“The needs and development concerns of middle-income countries do not always attract the attention they should. Despite notable reductions in poverty levels, many middle income countries face rising inequality, the persistence of extreme poverty, and a lack of adequate social security systems. Further efforts are needed to improve safety nets and economic security.” –UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, addressing the High Level Economic and Social Council Meeting, 10 March 2011