Current Social Issues:
Social Issue |
Causes |
Effects |
Immigration |
Recently, refugees from countries such as Syria. Iraq, andAfghanistan, have increasingly been seeking asylum in places like Germany in Western Europe. This has resulted in over 980,00 people applying for asylum and many trying to cross the border illegally. |
As a result, the EU is struggling to enforce strong border control. However, there is consideration of welcoming a certain amount of refugees per year as they could potentially replace the aging working class. |
Increase in Muslim population |
Statistically, Western Europe is said to have the largest Muslim population in Western Europe. This has happened due to the availability of jobs and the aesthetic perferences for living. |
As a result, Muslims are not as socially integrated. Another issue is social uprisings resulting from the fact that many Muslims want Sharia Law. Crime rates are also higher in Muslim neighborhoods. |
Growing aging population |
Decreasing birth rates due to the late industrialization and rapid urbanization stage that the country is in has resulted in a smaller popualation of young people. More and more women are aslo getting jobs. |
The growing agining population has resulted in less people in the workforce and cocncerns for the economy. However, the EU hope that the increasing number of refugees will be able to replace them. The pensions and old age programs that are increasingly being needed are also taking a toll on this region's economic situation. |