The 2nd International Annual Conference of the OECD Crete Centre for Population Dynamics focuses on proposals, data and solutions for the challenges of demographics and the labour market of the future
The OECD Crete Centre for Population Dynamics announces its 2nd International Annual Conference entitled “The demographic challenge: Shaping the labour market of the future”. The Conference is a co-organization of the OECD Crete Centre for Population Dynamics, the Delphi Economic Forum and the Municipality of Chania and for the second consecutive year will be held at the Mediterranean Architecture Centre in Chania, on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 November 2025.
The Conference is taking place at a particularly critical juncture, in which the demographic issue and the enhancement of productivity are at the center of public debate in our country. OECD studies predict that population shrinkage and, above all, the dramatic reduction in the percentage of the population of working age, could cause large reductions in GDP per capita by 2050, if appropriate policies are not adopted.
Specifically, the shrinking workforce due to aging is estimated to cause a decrease in GDP per capita in OECD countries by 8% by 2050 compared to 2021. The estimate for the corresponding decrease in Greece is approximately double (15%), due to the increased burden on our country from the negative development of demographic indicators.
The organization of the labor market plays a key role in the proposed solutions for mitigating the effects of demographic changes. This year’s conference focuses on how the labor market can be organized to become more efficient and adapt to new demographic data. The shortcomings in the labor market are already evident. OECD studies show that on average in OECD countries 80% of businesses report difficulties in finding human resources, with Greece facing the problem at the same intensity, recording shortages slightly above the OECD average.
Although solutions to these issues require time and strategic planning, there are immediate mitigation measures that can contribute to addressing the challenges that are already emerging. It seems necessary to utilize all the pools of human resources that are currently underrepresented in the labor market. Unemployment among women in Greece today is almost double that of men, while strengthening the participation of people over 50 years of age in the labor market can provide significant benefits.
The International Annual Conference brings to the fore professors, representatives of foreign countries and renowned economists, who will highlight critical aspects of the demographic issue, contributing with documented proposals and international experiences to the formulation of solutions for the future of work.
