'Demographic Winter' Producer Sees Dire Consequences in Projected Population Decline in Europe

'Demographic Winter' Producer Sees Dire Consequences in Projected Population Decline in Europe

MEDIA ADVISORY, Sept. 2 /Christian Newswire/ -- Barry McLerran, producer of "Demographic Winter: the decline of the human family," says the recent population projections of Eurostat confirm the documentary's dire warnings about the impact of declining birth rates.

On August 26, Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Communities, made the following forecasts:

From 2015 onward, deaths will outnumber births in the European Union.
The continent's population will begin to decline by 2060.
The over-65 population will increase from 17.1% of total population in 2008 to 30.0% in 2060. Over the same period, Europeans over 80 will rise from 4.4% to 12.1% of the population.
In the EU today, there are four working-age people for every individual over 65. By 2060, that ratio will be cut in half.
McLerran commented: "Some have reacted to 'Demographic Winter: the decline of the human family' by charging that the film exaggerates the consequences of declining birth rates. But these statistics from the European Communities confirm our warnings. Overall, the EU birth rate is 1.3 children per woman – well below the replacement level 2.1."

McLerran added: "The Eurostat forecasts raise any number of troubling questions. How will societies with two working-age people for every retiree pay for pension systems? In a Europe that's rapidly graying, who will serve in the armed forces? Most armies aren't composed of senior citizens. Pensions aside, who will care for the growing numbers of elderly, and how will our economies deal with an ever decreasing supply of producers and innovators? These are matters which must be addressed."

"Demographic Winter: the decline of the human family," is the first documentary to examine the worldwide decline of birthrates over the past 40 years. It includes frank discussions with demographers, sociologists, economists (including a Nobel laureate), parliamentarians and activists. A trailer may be viewed here.

To schedule an interview with a spokesman for "Demographic Winter," contact Communications Director Don Feder at 508-405-1337 or dfeder@rcn.com.

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