Greek Defense Minister Proposes Legal Migration from Indian Subcontinent to Counter Europe’s Demographic Decline
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias has advocated for increased legal migration from the Indian subcontinent as a strategic solution to Europe’s stagnant population growth. Speaking on the demographic challenges currently facing the European Union, Dendias highlighted the necessity of integrating younger workers to sustain the continent’s economy and social structures.
Addressing the issue of Europe’s shrinking workforce, Dendias pointed to the stark reality of demographic statistics across the region. “Population growth in Europe is almost negative, so it is clear that we need young people to fill the vacuum,” he stated. The Minister emphasized that without an influx of a younger demographic, European nations risk facing severe labor shortages and long-term economic instability.
Dendias identified the Indian subcontinent as an ideal partner for this demographic transition, citing the region’s vast and youthful population. “I think the (Indian) subcontinent, with its current population structure, could be one of the best choices for legal migration,” he remarked. His comments reference the “demographic dividend” available in South Asian nations, where the working-age population is expanding, in direct contrast to the aging societies of Southern and Western Europe.
The proposal comes amidst strengthening bilateral relations between Greece and India. Athens has recently sought to deepen ties with New Delhi, exploring cooperation in trade, defense, and labor mobility. The Greek government has been actively seeking ways to address critical labor shortages in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and tourism, which have been hit hard by the lack of available domestic workers.
Crucially, the Defense Minister specified that the focus is on “legal migration.” This distinction underscores a policy preference for regulated, state-managed labor agreements rather than irregular migration flows, which remain a politically sensitive topic within the European Union. By establishing formal pathways for workers from the Indian subcontinent, Greece aims to create a structured approach to filling its labor vacuum while mitigating the complexities associated with unmanaged migration.
