Episode 48: Europe's Demographic Reckoning with Tim Judah
In this Vienna Coffee House Conversation, Ivan Vejvoda speaks with journalist and former Europe's Futures Fellow Tim Judah about his new book Life and Fate, which examines demographic changes across Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. They discuss shrinking and aging populations, declining fertility, migration patterns, labor shortages, and the fiscal challenges these trends pose. Judah assesses policy efforts such as family incentives and immigration, and emphasizes the necessity of focusing on healthy life expectancy and technological adaptation. They explore how demographic fears feed populist and nationalist discourses, with varied political responses across Europe - from the quetionable efficacy of Hungary’s pronatalist policies to Western Europe’s migration debates and regional depopulation in Spain. Judah highlights the interconnectedness between demographic trends and geopolitical shifts, including EU enlargement and post-Brexit dynamics. The conversation culminates in Judah’s reflections on Ukraine, based on his frontline reporting. He outlines the technological evolution of modern warfare - drones, automation, fiber-optic systems - and Ukrainian resilience and pragmatism. They conclude by considering what these trends mean for Europe’s future, including the role of the U.K., EU accession, and the evolving concept of Europe itself.