A total of 17 OECD experts met with over 150 different stakeholders, including regional officials, governors, vice mayors, leaders of academic institutions, NGOs and citizen groups, as well as private businesses, to gather first-hand insights on how these regions are adapting to demographic shifts and what more can be done. Experts also visited key sites facing demographic pressures, ranging from the rural communities of Pico Island in the Azores to growing cities such as Cluj-Napoca in Nord-Vest, according to European Comission.
Some recurring themes were identified across these regions, including the departure of young and skilled talent which is leading to skill shortages and service gaps, the need for better connectivity in roads, public transport, digital infrastructure, and challenges in financing and coordinating across levels of government to garner a coherent, cross-governmental approach that aims to better adapt these regions to future demographic trends.
Looking ahead, efforts will centre around developing tailored analyses and recommendations for each region to help governments navigate these challenges. The second round of study visits will take place later this year, where initial findings and possible policy avenues will be tested and refined, together with local feedback.
