The hard work of correcting Europe’s demographic course

A devastating demographic crisis is chipping away at the strength of European nations. An ageing population combined with low fertility rates raise daunting challenges, and many countries are struggling to find solutions.
“Europe is old, rich and weak,” Prime Minister Orbán said recently, “the world’s population is rapidly growing, while the population of Europe is declining.” While some argue that immigration must be part of the answer, Hungary has dared to propose an alternative “by relying on our own resources,” he said, speaking at the second annual Budapest Demographic Forum. As the lofty ideals of multiculturalism and Willkommenskultur tumble in…