Eduard Mikhalas at SPIEF-2025: Global Demographic Crisis Opens New Opportunities

Saint Petersburg - The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), one of the leading events dedicated to the global economy, is taking place in St. Petersburg from June 18 to 21.

The forum's business program opened on June 18 with the session "Shaping a New Platform for Global Growth," where the final report on the results of the International Open Dialogue of the National Centre "Russia" was presented. The session consisted of three tracks dedicated to technologies, economy, and people in the context of a rapidly changing world.

Eduard Mikhalas, Regional Population and Development Advisor at the United Nations Population Fund, noted that the global demographic crisis is a challenge and an opportunity to reassemble outdated social and economic models.

"The real fertility crisis is when people want to have children but cannot afford it," he emphasised.

According to the expert, many countries around the world are experiencing declining fertility today. Surveys show that most people would like to have more children but face obstacles, from economic difficulties to lack of quality housing and limited access to healthcare. He noted that about 50% of respondents named economic reasons the main barrier.

Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2025/06/108c7f8c7f7d84d0cf1acbdd4f4ed2b6.jpg

"People want to, but they can't. This is the essence of the modern demographic crisis. And here a space appears for new solutions-from technological to institutional," explained Mikhalas.

He noted that automation, robotisation, and AI implementation open new scenarios for adapting the economy to an ageing population. However, a comprehensive approach is necessary, taking into account migration flows, health, and differences in life expectancy between men and women.

According to the speaker, special attention should be paid to opportunities for women to combine motherhood with career: "A woman should have the right to choose-to stay with children or return to work. And if she wants to return, the state and society should support her."

Additionally, the expert considers it important to reconsider the role of the older generation: "People age but retain knowledge, experience, and energy. We must give them the opportunity to remain active participants in the economy."

The session was moderated by Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation. He emphasised that this year, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is taking place against the backdrop of turbulent world events.

"We must not forget which long-term trends and challenges led to the current situation, which trends are basic and defining. It is important to conduct an open dialogue about how we build the world of the future and how to form a new platform for global growth. In which countries will this global growth occur, on which technologies will it be built, and on which principles and cultural code? Our task is to ensure that forward movement benefits people in all countries that, like Russia, are working on the future. It is through open dialogue that our future and its understanding are built," noted Maxim Oreshkin.

At the session organised by the National Centre, speakers also discussed the report on the results of the Open Dialogue prepared by the Centre for Cross-Industry Expertise "Third Rome." The conclusions of the session "Shaping a New Platform for Global Growth" became the foundation for the subsequent business program of SPIEF-2025.

The session "Shaping a New Platform for Global Growth" was dedicated to modernity's current challenges: economic and political fragmentation, demographic changes, the consequences of breakthrough technology implementation, and social and technological gaps both within and between countries.
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