About the Budapest Demographic Forum

The demographic trends have major significance for preserving Europe’s future. Sustainable development in Europe can be ensured only by means of social politics in which upward and sustainable demographic trends play a significant role, where the support to families and the development of targeted measures and regulations for improving the families’ lives are an important tool.

The family – as the key fundamental unit of the preservation of the society – as well as family-centred politics play a primary role in social development and the implementation of the internationally accepted improvement objectives set for the period after 2015.

During the 2011 Hungarian Presidency, the trio of Belgium, Spain and Hungary signed a Presidency statement with Poland on the effects of the reconciling of work and family life on the demographic processes. In consistence with this document, the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) adopted Council conclusions at its meeting of 3 October 2026 on “Managing demographic challenges: institutional cooperation among the Member States in the area of demographic issues and the reconciliation of work and family life”. The Council conclusions puts it this way: “while it is the responsibility of the Member States to develop and implement effective and sustainable family policies, the exchange of experience and best practices in this field at European level may significantly contribute to achieving the goals set out in the Europe 2020 Strategy.”

In the resolution of the UN Human Rights Council on the Protection of the family dated 25 June 2015, the Council reaffirmed that “the family was the natural and fundamental group unit of society and was entitled to protection by society and the State.” It also lays down the conviction that “the family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the community.”

Based on and as a continuation of these antecedents, the objective of the Budapest Demography Forum 5-7 November 2015 is to discuss issues regarding demographic trends, that is the family policy-, economic policy-, employment policy- and migration-related correlations of the European demographic trends, as well as to explore possible solutions.

We call all participants of the Budapest Demographic Forum to common European thinking and cooperation for achieving a sustainable turn in demographic trends, and for social persistence and sustainable development.

We hope for that the cooperation and joining together of countries will promote demographic trends and in this context also families, facilitation of positive European demographic trends, as well as family-focused decision making.

The Budapest Demographic Forum gives a chance to present the demographic and family politics results, and to exchange experience on international good practices. The building of formal and informal relations, and joining together of European countries may contribute to the implementation of common targets and sub-targets, in favour of Europe and the European families.

On the first day of the Budapest Demography Forum, European politicians and other famous public figures will give speeches and comments.

In the framework of a professional conference on the second day, well-known international and domestic experts will discuss the issues of demographic trends, addressing the demography aspects related to families, economy, employment, migration, and parental roles.

On the third day of the event, we welcome the families living in Hungary and abroad to a get-together, presenting the values of the family and the importance of the community and solidarity.

Child care and children’s programs will be ensured during all events of the Budapest Demographic Forum.