Title: Introduction.

POPLINE Document Number: 101272

Author(s):

David HP
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. :1-2.

Abstract:

The trend in Europe and among industrialized nations is toward zero replacement or under replacement fertility; this is occurring regardless of size, geographic location, or political system. Within the European community, Ireland had the highest birth rate in 1990 (18.1/1000 population); but it represented a decline from the birth rate of 21.8 in 1970. Italy had the lowest birth rate in 1990 (9.9/1000 population), a decline from the birth rate of 18.1 in 1960. Replacement level fertility is considered to be 2.1 among European countries and the average number of children born to a woman in her lifetime is below this figure. A graph, by country, of the changes in the average number of children/woman in 1971, 1981, and 1989 shows that the average decline was from 2.43 to 1.80 in 1981 and 1.58 in 1989, which is a 12% decline. Average children/woman rose only in Denmark and the United Kingdom between 1981 and 1989. The Federal Republic of Germany had the lowest number of children/woman in 1971 and 1981. Sharp declines were experienced between 1971 and 1989 in Spain (55%), followed closely by Greece and Portugal. Although there is no consensus on what constitutes pronatalist policy and the proven effectiveness of policy incentives, some countries have tried to motivate their citizens to have second and third children. In October 1991, the Copenhagen Consultation on the Third Child in Europe considered demographic conditions in Europe and prepared scientific papers and recommendations.

Keywords:

Europe
Critique
Population Policy
Fertility Rate
Demographic Transition
Changes
Developed Countries
Social Policy
Policy
Birth Rate
Fertility Measurements
Fertility
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Social Change