The European Union (EU) is likely to have to rely on labor migration in the future, a new report has suggested.

According to the research by Eurostat, people in the region are living longer and healthier lives, with the number of individuals aged 60 and over expanding by two million annually.

The third Demography Report revealed life expectancy is growing and the EU is becoming more diverse, with an increasing number of young people gaining employment experience in another state.

Published every two years by the European Commission, the study is intended to provide information about the region's population, with the latest edition showing a slight rise in fertility rates.

Presenting the document at a meeting in Budapest, Laszlo Andor, the EU Commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion, said: "We have to adapt our policies to promote a better work/life balance so parents can have children while continuing to work and we must design policies to encourage Europeans to remain active longer."

Mr Andor recently highlighted the importance of "family friendly" policies in light of the demographic changes taking place in Europe.

Posted by Alex Donnell