Being a Romanian, I know a lot about discrimination and rage against those coming to work in countries such as the UK, Italy, Spain and many more. Western Europe seems to be so much against new comers, it always overlooks its own interests in having immigrants there. I could tell them their wrong. All the decent hardworking immigrants might say the same. I doubt they'll take our word on it.

Now, the Economist comes to say the same thing. Will they listen?

In truth the bad demographic outlook of much of western and eastern Europe will make the continent increasingly reliant on foreign labour. And one irony is that, for all the current fretting about too many foreigners, a chronic shortage of suitable workers may be felt most acutely in the countries that seem most hostile to outsiders. Germany has kept its labour markets closed to new EU members until 2011, but it now admits to a skills shortage. This month it eased the restrictions on migrant workers in the mechanical and electrical-engineering industries.

Immigration already accounts for most of the limited population growth in Europe. Ageing populations, combined with the natives' lack of ability, or inclination, to do many jobs, mean that more foreign workers are likely to be needed. By one estimate Europe's native-born workforce will shrink by 44m by the middle of the century. Skilled workers will be in especially short supply. Those calling most fiercely for foreigners to go home may come to regret what they wished for.