The Importance of Emigration for the Solution of Population Problems in Western Europe

This first publication of the Research Group for European Migration Problems is devoted to the importance of migration in Western Europe. Small wonder that espedally German sodal sdentists, living in a country invaded by millions and millions of refugees and expellees from Central and Eastern Europe, are paying so much attention to the solution of regional andnationaloverpopulation. It is doubtful whether we can speak of European overpopulation in general. Dr Hilde Wander's investigations make it dear that from a European point of view short distance migration may solve many problems for which up to now overseas emigration to Canada, Australia, etc. seemed to be the only remedy. Those talking about European integration (there still is much than real action) should keep in more discussion on this topic mind that the only way out of the present system of frustrations consists in economic and sodal freedom, i.e. a free flow of goods, capital and migrating people. The Research Group for European Migration Problems is an international committee promoting the study of one of the crudal sodal problems, rather neglected so far: a more effective distribution and spreading of the European population. Front Matter....Pages III-XI Scope of the Problem....Pages 1-2 General and Historical Connections between Free and Compulsory Migration....Pages 3-8 The Influence of Structural Demographic and Economic Changes in Western Europe upon Population Ratios and Future Emigration....Pages 9-24 The Probable Numbers and Groups of Persons Willing to Emigrate from Western Europe....Pages 25-32 Possibilities and Limits of Overseas Emigration....Pages 33-37 Possibilities and Limits of an Exchange of Populations within Western Europe....Pages 38-42 Final Remarks....Pages 43-46 Back Matter....Pages 47-63