The research question proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is:
Does the demographic trend [of brain drain and an aging population] justify a recalibration of the policy priorities of the embassies [in the Baltic states]?
The accession of the Baltic states to the EU and NATO can be described as a success. The three countries developed rapidly into stable democratic countries, the economy modernized and took off and the armed forces transformed into a serious partner. In digital terms, the three countries are often ahead of developments elsewhere in the EU.
However, there is reason for concern when looking at demographic developments. The Baltic states are shrinking in population and aging in composition. Younger, highly educated (ethnic) Balts in particular take advantage of the opportunity to study elsewhere in Europe. Once there, they find work and opportunities or a life partner, and they don’t return to their country of origin, leading to brain drain there. For example, the largest Baltic country Lithuania now has only 2.8 million inhabitants, 1.2 million less than the number when it regained independence in 1991. A trend that in the long term could undermine stable economic and democratic development and detract from the potential of the three countries.
Not only the size but also the composition of the population in countries where many younger highly educated people are leaving is changing. The relatively conservative and older people that are staying, are putting pressure on national healthcare systems, with all the associated problems. The consequences of this affect not only the Baltic states themselves, but also the countries on the receiving end of these migration movements. The changing population composition influences the election results and consequently, political decision-making within the EU. This may be reinforced by a trend in some of the Baltic states where it is mainly the original inhabitants who are leaving and where the population composition is becoming more clearly marked with a different (Russian) signature.
The three embassies in the Baltics have a focus within the policy priority 'European cooperation', but the demographic problem outlined above is not a priority and does not receive specific attention from the embassies or from the ministry.
Therefore, the main research question and sub questions that arise are:
• Does the demographic trend justify a recalibration of the policy priorities of the embassies?
1. If so, what can NL (or more specifically the embassies in the Baltic) do in collaboration with EST, LET and LIT to sustainably reverse this brain drain and its consequences?
2. What exactly could this exchange entail, what is required for it and what could it bring to the Netherlands?
3. And what can be done within the EU framework, in addition to the existing programs, to reverse this development. Are the existing instruments in terms of financing and regulations sufficient or do they require adjustments to get the desired development underway?
By way of background: this problem is not strange to an EU context and various initiatives have already been launched on this subject; for example, this recent public consultation and research under the flag of the European Commission.
Does the demographic trend [of brain drain and an aging population] justify a recalibration of the policy priorities of the embassies [in the Baltic states]?
The accession of the Baltic states to the EU and NATO can be described as a success. The three countries developed rapidly into stable democratic countries, the economy modernized and took off and the armed forces transformed into a serious partner. In digital terms, the three countries are often ahead of developments elsewhere in the EU.
However, there is reason for concern when looking at demographic developments. The Baltic states are shrinking in population and aging in composition. Younger, highly educated (ethnic) Balts in particular take advantage of the opportunity to study elsewhere in Europe. Once there, they find work and opportunities or a life partner, and they don’t return to their country of origin, leading to brain drain there. For example, the largest Baltic country Lithuania now has only 2.8 million inhabitants, 1.2 million less than the number when it regained independence in 1991. A trend that in the long term could undermine stable economic and democratic development and detract from the potential of the three countries.
Not only the size but also the composition of the population in countries where many younger highly educated people are leaving is changing. The relatively conservative and older people that are staying, are putting pressure on national healthcare systems, with all the associated problems. The consequences of this affect not only the Baltic states themselves, but also the countries on the receiving end of these migration movements. The changing population composition influences the election results and consequently, political decision-making within the EU. This may be reinforced by a trend in some of the Baltic states where it is mainly the original inhabitants who are leaving and where the population composition is becoming more clearly marked with a different (Russian) signature.
The three embassies in the Baltics have a focus within the policy priority 'European cooperation', but the demographic problem outlined above is not a priority and does not receive specific attention from the embassies or from the ministry.
Therefore, the main research question and sub questions that arise are:
• Does the demographic trend justify a recalibration of the policy priorities of the embassies?
1. If so, what can NL (or more specifically the embassies in the Baltic) do in collaboration with EST, LET and LIT to sustainably reverse this brain drain and its consequences?
2. What exactly could this exchange entail, what is required for it and what could it bring to the Netherlands?
3. And what can be done within the EU framework, in addition to the existing programs, to reverse this development. Are the existing instruments in terms of financing and regulations sufficient or do they require adjustments to get the desired development underway?
By way of background: this problem is not strange to an EU context and various initiatives have already been launched on this subject; for example, this recent public consultation and research under the flag of the European Commission.