Optimising Migration as a Strategic Response to Ageing EU Labour Market Challenges: Policy Tools and Implementation Pathways

Details

Supervisors

Professor Jean-Christophe Defraigne

Faculty

Louvain School of Management

Degree label

Master [60] de spécialisation en entreprises et politiques économiques européennes

Abstract

enThis dissertation sought to examine the role of migration as a strategic response to labour market challenges linked to the EU’s demographic ageing and how to optimise it. It used a mixed-method approach that combines a systematic literature study of EU based studies and time-series econometric modelling to analyse the perceived dynamic relationship between demographic ageing, migration, and the labour market. Findings show that migration has enormous potential, which, if optimised, can mitigate labour market gaps, especially in rural settings and sectors like healthcare and agriculture that are physically intense and socially complex, thus contributing to the EU's economic sustenance. To support the optimisation process, the thesis proposes three new frameworks : I. The Ageing Economy Challenge Mix (AEC-MIX) to identify and prioritise major ageing economy challenges; II. The Migrant-Led Labour Gap Adjustment Framework (ML-GAF) to match migrant profiles with needy sectors and regions; and III. The Barriers to Migrant Labour Market Access Framework (BAF-MLA) to identify and dismantle structured obstacles to migrants’ employment. The dissertation concludes with a strategic–operational pathway that links diagnosis, policy design, and programme implementation with actionable guidance for the EU and Member States’ policymakers. By so doing, this thesis demonstrates that migration policy optimisation is a veritable multi-level governance tool in addressing the socio-economic implications of demographic ageing in the middle and long run.