Help Wanted in Europe

New statistics show an even more alarming de-population trend in Europe. Germany, whose population is now 80 million, will have only 25 million people by the end of the century. Experts believe 2006 was probably the first year in which European deaths outnumbered births. (Hat tip to Paul Kedrosky.)

The resulting labor shortages will have to be met by increased immigration. Europeans, generally speaking, have never exactly rolled out the red carpet for immigrants as was done in the U.S. Now their decades of easy abortion and low birth rates leave them no other choice.

I have to wonder what will happen to all these aging Germans in their tax-funded nursing homes, where they will be cared for by young workers who are predominantly Muslim. Will the new generations be eager to keep paying high taxes just to keep the elderly infidels alive? Euthanasia - which Europeans pioneered - may be their Final Solution.

On the bright side, there are hints that in France the birth rate is increasing, even among native-born citizens. This is a hopeful sign but they need to get even busier if they want to catch up. The government seems to recognize their problem:

A factor in the increasing number of children is undoubtedly France's generous social legislation, giving long maternity leaves, with assured return to work with posts and seniority intact. Governments with negative birthrates have investigated the French system, and Germany has just introduced new allowances for parents. "New Labour" introduced such measures in 2001 and Britain had its highest birthrate in 13 years last year.

Another possible birth incentive in France, which may not be copied elsewhere, is its 35-hour workweek. It has been suggested that the French have so much leisure now that they have found nothing more interesting to do with it than have babies, combining fun with demographic patriotism. (Hat tip: Crunchy Con)