Globalization, soaring public deficits, migration, new social demands, structural changes on the labour market, and not least demographic developments challenge existing welfare arrangements in Europe. One of the most complex tasks currently facing European governments and societies is to reconcile widely-supported commitments to welfare provision with pressures that make these commitments unsustainable economically.
“The Welfare State in Europe – Visions for Reform” is the first publication of the Vision Europe Summit consortium. This paper is designed to set the scene for discussions on challenges currently facing the welfare state in Europe.
