Berlin Demography-Days 2025: Demography and Democracy

27 and 28 October 2025

®Nils Stelte

The Berlin Demography Days bring together decision-makers from politics, society, business, and science to discuss current social issues relating to demographic change.

Simplistic attributions of blame as an explanation for the loss of trust in democratic institutions are generally insufficient. From a demographic perspective, questions focus on how social cohesion can be strengthened, and how fears of decline, resulting anti-democratic resentment, and mistrust of government action, especially in places considered peripheral areas, can be counteracted. Four topics are particularly urgent for political action: growing regional disparities in public services, skilled labour shortages in relation to economic prosperity, how to improve social participation, and the changing perception of social inequalities. All four topics were discussed during the main event of the Berlin Demography Days 2025, on 27 and 28 October. The main points of discussion are highlighted below, along with policy options based on demographic evidence.

Two expert workshops that aimed to start discussions on these topics took place in April and June 2025. You can find summaries of these events here:

The 2025 federal election in the context of demographic change

How can demography contribute to democratic resilience? Between alarmism, wishful thinking and expectation management

All video recordings of the Berlin Demography Days 2025 can be found on our YouTube channel.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by individual participants do not necessarily reflect the views of Population Europe or the European Union (which co-funded this event). The European Union is not responsible for the use of the information contained herein.

How do regional disparities affect social cohesion?

Despite the goal formulated in the German Constitution to establish “equality” of living conditions in Germany, regional differences in public services (i.e. in terms of the provision and accessibility of essential services) have been increasing for decades. It is a political challenge to reduce such regional disparities at various levels of infrastructure, medical care, childcare, etc., and thus to ensure balanced access to key social resources, all while taking local needs into account.

Claudia Neu, Professor of Sociology of Rural Areas at the Universities of Göttingen and Kassel, and Principal Investigator of the We-ID project, argued that greater distances to public services, which particularly affects people in rural areas, are associated with people’s lower satisfaction with living conditions. In addition, the absence of public service infrastructure and social spaces exacerbates loneliness, isolation, and exclusion. In an ageing population, basic medical care will also become increasingly important. The perception of deficits in this regard leads to greater dissatisfaction with living conditions and weakens trust in democratic institutions.

"It is often enough to observe declining economic prosperity in other regions to cause the feeling of being left behind."

The political debate in Germany often refers to a feeling of “being left behind”. This feeling of being outside the reach of government and public services is linked to stagnant or decreasing economic prosperity of a region. In addition, people do not necessarily have to be directly affected by this to feel left behind. It is often enough to observe declining economic prosperity in other regions to cause the feeling of “being left behind”.

Professor Neu emphasised that deficits in public services therefore offer particular opportunities for scenarios of threat pushed by disruptive political movements, as she also argued in this Policy Insight. Populist or right-wing extremist parties are most likely to be elected in areas where access to public services is poor. In addition, these disruptive movements often create alternative structures and initiatives where there is a lack of government involvement. This once again highlights how important the availability and accessibility of public services are for democratic satisfaction.

"Rural Europe is not homogeneous: rural regions differ in terms of their geography, history, migration patterns, and political attention."

In other EU countries, too, regional differences are exacerbated by the exodus of younger people, especially women, leading to ageing and predominantly male populations in many rural areas. As Bettina Bock, Professor of Rural Sociology at the University of Wageningen, the Netherlands, pointed out, rural Europe is not homogeneous: rural regions differ in terms of their geography, history, migration patterns, and political attention. Therefore, the answer to the question of whether immigration from abroad could counteract these trends, and how social cohesion and the diversity of the rural population can be strengthened in the process, varies. Policymakers can help by adapting their support to address reasons that cause people to leave. There are significant differences between social groups when it comes to drivers of such emigration, whether it be a lack of affordable housing, government services, childcare, adequate career opportunities or social venues.

Policy Options:

Ensuring financial support for municipalities in rural areas: There is a significant investment backlog at municipal level in Germany, particularly in the area of public services and infrastructure. In order to strengthen trust in state institutions, the widespread availability and accessibility of public services and public institutions must be ensured at local level. This is where demographic change is most strongly felt.
Strengthening social cohesion in rural areas: The loss of social spaces as meeting and exchange points (such as bars, restaurants, youth clubs, etc.) further undermines trust in social welfare institutions. Furthermore, social engagement should be promoted more strongly. This should be done with caution, taking into account local diversity, and already established structures and initiatives.
Making the availability of public services more visible: The welfare state, which enables protection, participation and social involvement, must be visible at the local level in order to counteract the feeling of being “left behind”.
Understanding demographic diversity and migration: Migration to rural areas includes both mobility on a national level and international immigration. Many young families and skilled workers are moving to rural areas because of the quality of life and lower housing costs. Demographic change presents both risks and opportunities here. On the one hand, population decline and ageing create structural pressure, but on the other hand, they also create a need for innovation, new care models, and the empowerment of underrepresented groups, such as women, young people, and newcomers.
Taking gender equality as a serious variable in rural development, and not just as a social goal. Regions with greater gender equality show stronger innovation performance and stronger population growth. Greater labour force participation by women expands social capital and innovation potential.
Addressing different forms of cohesion. Cohesion must not only be considered in terms of newcomers and locals, but must also be ensured across generations, genders and social classes.

What challenges arise from skilled labour shortages?

Skilled labour shortages, which are becoming increasingly apparent in various segments of the economy and society, are accompanied by political and social challenges that are ever more urgent to address, in view of the ageing population. Declining labour force potential, especially when the last baby boomers reach retirement age in the next ten years, will affect economic performance not only in Germany, but also in other European Member States. This also has an impact on democratic institutions, as economic problems are always accompanied by fears of social decline, and at the same time, confidence in the ability of state actors to take action is dwindling.

"Immigrant skilled workers, for example, tend to settle where they find a prosperous labour market and economic opportunities."

Skilled labour shortages particularly affect rural regions and smaller towns, which are often unable to compete with urban centres when it comes to recruiting skilled workers. Immigrant skilled workers, for example, tend to settle where they find a prosperous labour market and economic opportunities, or where public services are guaranteed.

Despite the high demand for skilled labour in rural areas, immigration is declining sharply, partly due to federal immigration policies (and narratives) that aim to strictly control immigration, and that prioritise recruiting highly qualified skilled workers. This selective approach is not perceived as a “migration-friendly culture”. Therefore, this tension needs to be resolved, particularly in view of the shortage of skilled labour in occupations that require lower professional qualifications.

Policy options:

Facilitating changes of occupation and sector: People (in rural places and otherwise) should be better supported to change their occupation and sector, in order to enable lifelong learning and flexible career paths, and to help fill gaps in the labour market. Greater flexibility in occupational mobility, and targeted continuing education and training opportunities, will have a positive impact on the labour force participation of older people.
Simplifying the recognition of foreign qualifications: Attractiveness alone is not enough – activation is the key. Procedures for recognising foreign qualifications should be simplified and accelerated.
Aligning procedures and laws to realities: Migrants and employers alike are confronted with inconsistent regulations and unexpected policy changes. Immigration laws continue to assume fixed jobs and long-term contracts, and ignore hybrid working models, especially in digital companies and start-ups.
Empowering families of labour immigrants to also engage in the labour market. Spouses who are in the same profession or are highly qualified need faster access to the labour market and recognition.
Strengthening regional welcoming culture: An open, appreciative attitude towards newcomers – whether from within the country or abroad – is crucial to retaining skilled workers in the long term. Local actors could, for example, place greater emphasis on the fact that immigrants provide important services and sustain the regional economy.
Changing the narrative: Migration should not be seen as a risk, but as renewal – as part of Europe's economic and civil society infrastructure.
Strengthening businesses as social spaces: Companies should be specifically supported in expanding their role as places of community and integration. This will strengthen businesses as social spaces.
Investing in early childhood education: Professor C. Katharina Spieß, Director of Germany’s Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB), advocated for investing particularly in early childhood education: Early childhood education programmes offer high social and economic returns, and are central to equal opportunities and securing skilled labour. The full potential of early childhood education is particularly evident in children with an immigration background. The expansion of daycare centres and primary schools also enables an increase in the labour force participation of mothers. In addition, they make an important contribution to regional public services, especially in rural areas.
Strengthening Germany and Europe as a location for democracy and welfare: Germany and Europe must remain attractive in the global competition for skilled labour through reliable institutions, social security, and democratic stability. Europe must reaffirm that economic growth and diversity reinforce each other.
Prioritising public services in structurally weak regions: A secure local infrastructure improves the quality of life and attractiveness of rural areas. This also reduces the risk of skilled newcomers leaving, and attracts new skilled labour from abroad.
Promoting cooperation across political levels: The federal, state, and municipal governments should act in a coordinated manner. Existing initiatives, such as BiB’s Demography Portal, offer proven approaches for this. Regional and local actors should be more closely involved in developing immigration policies, as they are best placed to assess local skilled labour needs.

How should democratic participation be structured?

Democratic participation is not determined solely by the right to vote, citizenship, or belonging to prevailing identity groups, but depends essentially on whether people feel heard, represented, and valued in democratic processes. Democratic participation is learned and shaped early in life, through socialisation and political education. It develops when people internalise democratic norms, such as diversity, dialogue and mutual respect. The increasing diversity of our societies is unsettling parts of society, reinforcing feelings of disappointment, fear and resentment, and thus creating a target for disruptive and authoritarian movements. Younger people and people with a history of migration, in particular, are particularly marginalised in democratic processes.

"Recognising different cultural perspectives in political processes is crucial for building and maintaining trust in democratic institutions."

The speakers agreed that these groups should be more involved in decision-making processes and listened to more in the future. Michèle Lamont, Professor of Sociology and European Studies at Harvard University, argued that recognising different cultural perspectives in political processes is crucial for building and maintaining trust in democratic institutions. Political participation is still far too often linked to ethnic or national identity, and less to shared civic values. Successful democracies are based on rules and norms accepted by society, and that fulfil a social function independently of ethnic or national identities. Strengthening a civic and democratic identity therefore means promoting diversity and equality.

"Political and scientific institutions must make a concerted effort to build trust in order to strengthen democratic life."

Finally, according to the participants, political and scientific institutions must make a concerted effort to build trust in order to strengthen democratic life and counteract disinformation or exclusionary narratives. This can be achieved by promoting transparency in decision-making, promoting digital literacy, and ensuring access to political information. Narratives that appeal to shared human values, such as dignity, fairness and security, can bridge divisions more effectively than simply correcting misjudgements. Especially for younger generations, political and scientific communication must take into account that information is often conveyed via social media and in face-to-face conversations. Meaningful engagement with younger people therefore requires new and innovative forms of target group-oriented communication.

Policy options:

Promoting political participation and inclusion: Encouraging and supporting younger people and immigrants to participate in political decision making could help improve political participation, and thus strengthen democratic structures.
Improving the perception of government services: Bureaucratic inefficiencies in government services, approvals, and access to social benefits are central to the narrative of loss. Reform of public administration should therefore focus, in particular, on better responsiveness and greater transparency and accessibility.
Rethinking “solidarity between generations”: The focus should shift from “equity between” to greater “community among” generations. Volunteering and civic engagement by older people should be promoted as valuable social capital, while younger people should be increasingly involved in shaping civic initiatives.
Combating disinformation: To combat disinformation, public awareness campaigns on demographic issues, such as migration, demographic change and social participation, should be carried out. Social media plays a particularly important role here, where exclusionary narratives must not be allowed to dominate.

How are social inequalities perceived?

Social inequalities are often discussed as a driving factor behind the loss of trust in democratic institutions. At the same time, the increasing heterogeneity of society, as a result of demographic change, is giving rise to new political challenges. Growing social diversity is accompanied by changing values, which in turn affect the perception of social disparities. Two narratives dominate the public debate: on the one hand, that social inequalities are steadily increasing, and, on the other, that support for the welfare state is declining due to its supposed erosion. To date, there is no clear empirical evidence for either assumption.

"Concerns about the risk of poverty remain."

Stefan Liebig, Professor of Empirical Social Structure Analysis at the Free University of Berlin, pointed out that while wage inequality in Germany has been declining since 2010, wealth inequality has remained largely stable since the 1960s. Furthermore, over the last few decades, both the low-wage sector and the risk of poverty among single parents have decreased, and the employment rate has continued to rise. Nevertheless, concerns about the risk of poverty remain, especially against the backdrop of economic problems in Germany. Positive developments or political countermeasures are hardly noticed.

"The fear of losing or not having access to opportunities in one’s life also contributes to negative perceptions."

The fear of losing or not having access to opportunities in one’s life also contributes to such negative perceptions. This applies, in particular, to people living in Germany’s federal states in the former East of the country, who were unable to maintain their social status after reunification, and whose disillusionment has in some cases also affected their children. It also applies to younger people, who perceived the lockdown measures during the COVD-19 pandemic as unfair.

There are various distribution mechanisms for welfare state benefits, which are used differently depending on the context: performance (only those who perform earn the right to support), equality (equal support for all), need (those in need are prioritised), and entitlement (privileges must be earned). In surveys on the fairness of distribution mechanisms, “performance” and “need” are generally the strongest, while “entitlement” is the weakest. The assessment of these distribution mechanisms changes over time. For example, support for the performance principle is declining, while “need” as a fair distribution mechanism has increased significantly. Contrary to this, many distribution mechanisms are currently moving much more towards the performance principle, which could explain the perception of increased inequality.

"The perception of social inequality is reflected in election results."

The perception of social inequality is also reflected in election results. For example, people’s perceived lack of prospects in Eastern Germany is seen by them as justification for voting for right-wing populist parties. The media also has a strong influence on narratives of (in)justice in this regard, as reports on negative statements about democracy, justice, and the welfare state tend to attract high levels of attention.

Policy Options:

Readjusting the social contract: In view of demographic change, a reorientation of the intergenerational contract in the sense of a broader social contract could have a positive effect on the perception of social inequalities.
Investing in education: Education plays a central role in the perception of social inequalities: Schools should not only promote awareness of the growing importance of individual provision, but also strengthen the necessary skills (including data literacy) to enable a more informed understanding of social statistics – for example, on income and inequality distribution.
Strengthening the presence and transparency of government action: When government actors communicate political decisions and necessary restrictions in a comprehensible manner, this can increase acceptance, trust, and willingness to act in solidarity, as well as reduce criticism of supposedly inefficient or unfair government action.

List of Experts at the Berlin Demography-Days 2025

Funding information

This year, the Berlin Demography Days were organised by Population Europe in cooperation with the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) and the European Union-funded research project We-ID (Identities – Migration – Democracy) and funded by the Federal Ministry of Education, Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ), the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) and the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI).