EU-Pacific Talks: Fostering Work-Life Balance in Diverse Societies
EU-Pacific Talks: Fostering Work-Life Balance in Diverse Societies

Author(s): Simona Růžičková
Subject(s): Politics, Labor relations, EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development, Geopolitics
Published by: EUROPEUM - Institut pro evropskou politiku
Keywords: EU; Pacific; diplomacy; talks; work-life balance;
Summary/Abstract: The debate began by highlighting key demographic trends over the last decade. Europe and Southeast Asia are experiencing some of the lowest birth rates, with a significant decline since the Great Recession of 2010, further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries like South Korea and many high-income European nations have extremely low birth rates and delayed parenthood. Factors contributing to these trends include stagnant incomes, high housing costs, and rising inflation due to geopolitical events. Young people today are delaying parenthood to continue their education or build a career. Tomáš Sobotka, Deputy Director of the Vienna Institute of Demography, emphasized that increased longevity and the aging baby boom generation are adding pressure to social systems. Migration, typically involving younger individuals, also affects demographic dynamics, particularly in countries experiencing population outflows like Hungary and the Balkan states.

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