The Balkans are getting short of people
The demography of south-eastern Europe threatens its hopes of prosperity
SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE is in a Catch-22. The region’s many problems prompt young, talented people to leave in droves. But it will not catch up with the rest of Europe without young, talented people to generate prosperity. Across the Balkans, populations are shrinking and ageing, and unless that changes even more will leave.
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Ageing, dying, leaving”
Europe August 22nd 2020
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