News item | 15-01-2024 | 2:25 PM
This afternoon, the State Commission on Demographic Developments 2050 published its report ‘Moderate growth’. The committee has mapped out scenarios for the Netherlands, as well as the ways in which the government can influence this. Minister Van Gennip believes that population growth forces clear economic choices.
Minister Van Gennip: “Our country is becoming busier, grayer and more diverse. I can imagine that the Dutch believe that our population does not need to grow further. There are already too few houses and staff shortages in healthcare and education. At the same time, in an aging Netherlands, we need people to maintain our prosperity. The report of the State Commission makes it clear that politicians and administrators face major choices and must make them.
I think we should look much more closely at whether economic activities contribute to the society we want to be. We really have a problem if it is more attractive for employers to hire three employees from Eastern Europe than to invest in a robot. The Netherlands should not want to be a low-wage country. The benefits of cheap labor belong to the employer, while society bears the burden. That has to be fairer. In my opinion, the government has a leading role in this and should not leave it to the market alone.
This report completes the homework for the next cabinet. I ask them to determine an expeditious course together with the House and the polder. Across the boundaries of cabinets, ministries and The Hague.”