Panel Discussion: Population, Migration, and Social Protection

Uruguay faces several challenges in demographic matters. The situation was once again highlighted by the figures from the latest census. The data indicate that the country has 3,444,263 inhabitants, of which 16% are over 65 years old, while those under 14 years old reach their lowest recorded percentage: 18% of the population. Additionally, the fertility rate is the lowest in the country's history.

In this context, international and national experts, along with distinguished academics, debated the challenges and analyzed the alternatives that Uruguay would ideally build for the future.

The dialogue took place on December 5th and was co-organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the National Care Forum, and the United Nations Coordination Office in Uruguay (OCR).

In the first part, held at the Legislative Palace, experts offered a comparative perspective of Uruguay's situation compared to the region, addressing demographic transition and analyzing present scenarios, both in the country and in Latin America.

Significant demographic challenges were highlighted, such as population stagnation and aging, emphasizing the opportunity to review social security and health systems to efficiently manage increased expenses.

Prominent panelists included Enrique Iglesias, President of the Astur Foundation; Simone Cecchini, Director of CELADE - Population Division; Roberto Cancel, regional expert in Labor Migration and Human Development -, Argentina; Rafael Rofman, social security expert; Merike Blofield, Director of GIGA - Global Institute for Global and Regional Studies; Rodolfo Saldain, social security expert; Hugo Bai from the Cuesta Duarte Institute; Margarita Percovich, member of the Care Pro Network; José Luis Diaz Rosello, member of the National Academy of Medicine; and Viviana Piñeiro, member of the National Care Forum.

The second part, held at the Faculty of Social Sciences, focused on the keys to public policy for the country's new demographic stage. During this segment, a study was presented that debunked the mistaken belief about migrant population, highlighting their crucial contribution to economic dynamism and challenging the notion that they affect local citizens' job opportunities.

Furthermore, the need to implement specific policies aimed at addressing aging and promoting the effective integration of migrants was emphasized. Crucial aspects highlighted include the full social integration of migrants, the recognition of women's unpaid work, as well as the active promotion of aging and health prevention.

Experts and academics participating in this instance included Cecilia Rossel, Vice-Rector of Research and Innovation - UCU; Victoria Prieto, researcher from the Population Program - FCS; Luciana Méndez, professor at the Institute of Economics - FCEA; Verónica Amarante, professor at the Institute of Economics - FCEA; Ignacio Pardo, professor and researcher in Population issues - FCS; Fernando Filgueira, Head of the UNFPA Office in Uruguay; Merike Blofield, Director of GIGA - German Institute for Global and Regional Studies; and Rafael Rofman, expert in Social Protection.