Title: Consultation on population policies: an overview.

POPLINE Document Number: 101269

Author(s):

David HP
Andorka R
Bruxer E
Schwarz K
Pierotti D

Source citation:

In: Demographic and social effects of population policies in Europe, edited by Henry P. David and Daniel Pierotti. Copenhagen, Denmark, World Health Organization [WHO], Regional Office for Europe, 1993. :3-10.

Abstract:

This overview of population policies pertinent to European demographic conditions focuses on the type of policies, the European below replacement pattern and reasons why, the influence of access to modern contraception and safe abortion, and the advisability of pronatalist policy. Population policy exist within a social and theoretical sphere, while practical couple decision making about child bearing is micro level and complex. Policy implementation of even ambiguous goals is constrained by administrative, political, technological, economic, and ethical factors. Pronatalist policies to encourage early marriage and larger families should not be confused with social welfare policies aiming to ease the burden of child bearing and rearing and only indirectly affect reproductive decisions. Hohn has grouped policies into 1) direct policies affecting nuptiality, fertility, immigration, or modern medical services; 2) indirect population policies such as social security, education, labor market, housing, regional planning, and women's emancipation; and 3) adaptation policies such as aging or integration of foreign immigrants. The suggestion by Demeny is that indirect policies may be more effective in a social welfare state. Demographic patterns in each country reflect historical, cultural, and religious traditions, and changes in lifestyles and perceptions of the family and value of children. Over the past 20 years, many countries have had below replacement fertility. Initially, governments did not interfere with personal reproductive decisions; later various family, work, and social policies were implemented with unknown effects on cohort fertility rates. Private reproductive decision making is and has been influenced by the emancipation of women, economic conditions, motivations, and private orientations. Immigration policies are interrelated with population policies. Pronatalist incentives and disincentives for voluntary reproductive behavior vary with the intentions of the planners. Reproductive technologies and safe abortion have improved a couple's decision making about child bearing and balancing resources. Past experience has shown that prohibiting contraception and abortion have had a limited impact on increasing fertility, and the long-term effects on unplanned and unwanted children can be negative and severe. The prospects for passing pronatalist legislation are not good when those with completed families are a powerful voting block and will be a financial burden as elderly and thus not willing to support the social, economic costs of larger families. There is a variety of alternatives possible. The recommendation is for WHO in Europe to continue the exchange of information on the demographic and social impact of population policies in Europe, publish a compendium, involve policymakers, and support further analysis of Hungarian data.

Keywords:

Europe
Below Replacement Fertility
Population Policy
Female Role
Immigrants
Pronatalist Policy
Developed Countries
Population Decrease
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Social Policy
Policy
Social Behavior
Behavior
Migrants
Migration