Europe's Brave New World: Security Implications of Global Population Changes, 2007-2050

This paper examines four major trends in global population that are likely to pose significant security challenges to Europe in the next two decades.  These are (1) disproportionate population growth in large and Muslim countries; (2) shrinkage in population and dramatic shifts in age structure in the European Union; (3) sharply opposing age shifts between First World countries and youthful Third world countries, especially those close to Europe; and (4) increased immigration from Third World to First World countries.