Washington - The Office of the Director of National Intelligence The „Annual Threat Assessment 2026“ report published by the European Commission sheds light on global threats and also focuses on European finances. According to the report, Italy, Germany and large parts of Eastern Europe are among the countries that are particularly hard hit by the consequences of ageing populations and falling birth rates.
Pensions under pressure
The impending wave of retirements in the coming years will place a massive burden on public pension systems. At the same time, the number of young workers is constantly shrinking. According to the US report, Europe's attempt to compensate for this shortage through predominantly low-skilled immigration is reaching its limits. The average age on the European continent is now over 47. Insufficient integration and different value systems have led to social tensions, making it difficult to absorb new workers into the labor market. In 2024, around 90 million international migrants were living in Europe, including more than six million Ukrainians with temporary protection and numerous asylum seekers from other continents.
Growing security policy challenges
The document also warns that young immigrants are becoming increasingly susceptible to political and religious radicalization due to a lack of job prospects. According to the intelligence report, rising numbers of acts of terrorism, violence against women and anti-Semitism are being recorded among immigrants from Islamic countries. This, in turn, is fueling anti-immigration sentiment among the European electorate. The conflict between Hamas and Israel is also being used by terrorist groups as a lever to plan attacks against Christian and Jewish targets in Europe.
The economic situation also remains tense. High energy prices and inflation are slowing down growth. This is making it more difficult for European governments, which are already struggling with high deficits, to meet new defense spending commitments - also under pressure from the Trump administration. However, higher defense budgets could strengthen the military industry on both sides of the Atlantic. Overall, the report advises prudent global action in the face of global economic fragmentation and new technologies such as artificial intelligence.
