Free State of Saxony, represented by the State Chancellery, DE

As a result of the post-1990 transformation, Saxony experienced a rapid drop in birth rate of over 50 per cent as well as migration, in particular to the western states of Germany. The population has shrunk from 4.78 mil. inhabitants (1990) to 4.18 mil. inhabitants in 2009. During the same time, the average age has increased from 39.4 years (1990) to 45.7 years in 2008. The decline and ageing of the population has deep impacts e.g. on every type of public infrastructure and services, on skilled labour force, on housing and on mobility in rural areas.

Saxony has already initiated a wide range of political action and a number of state-funded projects to counter this situation and to adapt public services and infrastructure. We have also discussed the implications and effects of the demographic change at conferences or workshops at state and regional level. This has led to a rising awareness in public bodies and private associations and to innovative ideas and projects throughout the state.

On the other hand we need comparable data and indicators for benchmarking the regions and for dealing with standards for public services. We also consider this aspect of DART as important for dealing with the changes.

Therefore, we wish to share ideas, experiences and successful solutions with the project partners. We have a special interest in those aspects concerning economic implications and solutions.

Saxony expects the project to disseminate successful policy approaches from a range of European regions affected by demographic change. We intend to implement promising approaches in Saxony. At the same time we want to provide new input for our project partners.

Contact

Dorit Müller
Tel.: +49 351 564 1295
E-Mail: dorit.mueller[ett]sk.sachsen.de
Website: www.sachsen.de; www.demografie.sachsen.de