On 21 October 2025, the European Commission presented a new Strategy for Generational Renewal in Agriculture, outlining a clear roadmap to support young farmers and attract more people to farming. The strategy aims to double the share of young farmers in the EU by 2040, with the goal of young and new farmers representing around 24% of all European farmers.
To achieve this, the Commission recommends that Member States, particularly those lagging behind, allocate at least 6% of their agricultural spending to measures promoting generational renewal. Countries will also be asked to develop national strategies for generational renewal by 2028, addressing key barriers and defining targeted support measures. Progress will be reported regularly to ensure coordinated implementation across the EU.
This initiative comes at a crucial time: the average EU farmer is 57 years old, and only 12% are under 40. Between 2013 and 2019, the number of young people living in rural areas fell dramatically, threatening the long-term sustainability and innovation capacity of the sector.
Young farmers are central to the EU’s food security and the vitality of rural areas. Ensuring that young people have the right conditions to live and build their careers in these regions is essential for the sustainability of Europe’s farming systems. Yet the sector faces persistent challenges, including an ageing workforce, declining rural populations, and limited access to land, finance, and skills.
Five levers for action
The strategy identifies five key levers to support the next generation of farmers:
- Access to land
- Access to finance
- Skills development
- Fair living standards in rural areas
- Support for farm succession
These will be supported through flagship initiatives such as a mandatory “Starter Pack” in the next CAP, offering up to €300,000 to help new farmers set up; new EIB guarantee schemes to improve access to finance; a European Land Observatory to enhance transparency and prevent speculation; and integration of succession and retirement reforms into national policy frameworks.
Additional measures include expanding Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs to farming, promoting rural youth and women’s participation, and co-funding Farm Relief Services to improve farmers’ work-life balance.
Read the European Commission’s press release here.