- Aging Population
Europe faces a significant demographic challenge: an aging population. According to Eurostat, the proportion of people aged 65 or older in the EU is projected to rise from 20.6% in 2020 to 30.3% by 2070. This shift is creating a demographic imbalance, with a growing number of retirees and a shrinking workforce. An aging population not only increases the burden on social security and healthcare systems but also results in a smaller pool of working-age individuals to support economic growth. Migrants, particularly younger ones, can help counterbalance this trend by replenishing the workforce and contributing to the sustainability of social welfare systems.
2. Low Birth Rates and Changing Family Dynamics
The fertility rate in many European countries is below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. Young Europeans are increasingly postponing marriage and family life, often due to economic uncertainties and changing social norms. When they do have children, many opt for smaller families, typically not exceeding two children. This trend exacerbates the demographic decline and threatens long-term economic stability. Migrants can play a vital role in offsetting these low birth rates, providing the necessary labour force to sustain economies and supporting the continuation of social services that depend on a robust, younger population.
3.Labor Demand in Low-Skilled Sectors
There is a significant demand for labour in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and various unskilled industries across Europe. These jobs are essential to the functioning of European economies but are often unattractive to native populations due to their physically demanding nature, lower wages, or seasonal work. Migrants are willing to fill these gaps, providing essential services that would otherwise remain unaddressed. Without these workers, many industries would suffer, leading to economic decline and potential shortages in goods and services. This sentiment was echoed by the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, who highlighted the critical role that migrant workers play in sustaining Europe's eeconomy and preventing businesses from shutting down. She said “Without migrants, companies will go out of business, our agriculture will suffer."
4.Challenges with Deportations and the Reality of Migration Management
In 2023, around 57,000 migrants entered Spain irregularly, with a significant increase in arrivals via the Canary Islands from West Africa. This includes migrants from countries like Mauritania, Senegal, and The Gambia. While specific numbers for Gambian migrants alone aren't detailed, the overall increase suggests a substantial number among the arrivals from West Africa.
The situation with Gambian migrants arriving in Spain illustrates the complexity of migration management. Estimates from the Gambia Embassy in Madrid, will put arrivals of Gambian migrants through the Spanish waters between 3,000 to 4,500 in 2023, whilst only a small percentage of less than 1% - (0.085%) of these migrants are deported back (in the same period), primarily due to criminal activities unrelated to illegal migration. There is no data that will indicate that any number of migrant arrivals were deported back to The Gambia, based purely because they arrived in the country illegally. This low deportation rate underscores the realities of mass deportations, suggesting that integration and regularization are more effective ways to deal with migration. In fact, the Spanish authorities through the various agencies, will normally assist these new migrants to settle and integrate into the society (which includes assisting them to get their ‘paperwork’ through for residency).
This discrepancy suggests a tacit acknowledgment of the need for migrant labour in Europe. The relatively low deportation rates reflect an understanding that migrants, even those arriving under challenging circumstances, play a crucial role in the labour market and the economy.
Spain's approach, underlined by its recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Gambia, highlights a shift towards promoting legal and orderly migration rather than merely curbing it. By developing a circular migration model and signing a joint declaration that emphasizes safe and legal migration, Spain is acknowledging the essential role that migrants can play in their economy.
5. Promoting Safe, Orderly, and Legal Migration
The Spanish Prime Minister's visit to The Gambia and other neighbouring countries, was not primarily to discuss the halting of migration per se, but (among other things) to discuss the proper and better management of it, by focusing on curbing the illegal migration activities and fostering legal migration pathways. Spain is therefore addressing both the needs of its labour market and the realities of global migration.
One of the joint declarations and subsequent MoU signed, emphasized a cooperative approach to migration, recognizing that Europe needs migrants to meet labour demands, while also ensuring that migration is conducted in a controlled, safe and lawful manner. This strategy aims to harness the benefits of migration while minimizing the risks associated with irregular movements. The notion that migrants are not wanted in Europe is indeed a myth.
A recent conference on migration in Madrid, underscored the importance of raising awareness among local communities about the economic benefits that migrants bring, whilst demystifying the fear that migrants are not wanted and a burden on the host country - ‘taking over their country’- thereby promoting racism. Employers at the conference unanimously agreed on the need for targeted strategies to promote this understanding and to leverage the advantages that a diverse and dynamic workforce can offer. By highlighting these benefits, such strategies can help foster more inclusive and supportive attitudes toward migration in Europe.
Conclusion
Europe's demographic trends, economic needs, and changing societal structures make a strong case for welcoming migrants rather than pushing them away. Migrants fill essential roles in the labour market, contribute to economic stability, and can help mitigate the effects of an aging population. Moreover, legal and orderly migration, as promoted by recent agreements between European and African countries, offers a framework for managing these flows in a way that benefits all parties involved. It is time for Europe to embrace the reality that it needs migrants more than it might want to admit, recognizing their invaluable contribution to its present and future prosperity.
Banky Njie
First Secretary
The Gambia Embassy
Madrid, Spain
