Causes and consequences of fertility decline
Date
1993Author
Grimes, Seamus
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Grimes, S. (1993) 'Causes and consequences of fertility decline'. Administration, 41 (1):56-70.
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Abstract
While there is widespread concern throughout Europe during the
current period of economic recession with high levels of
unemployment and the recent upsurge in refugee movements
associated with the serious ethnic conflict in Eastern Europe,
there is generally less awareness of long-term demographic
developments which have been in train since the 1960s. The
underlying trend is towards low fertility, which is giving rise to
significant imbalances in the population pyramid of Europe and
which is illustrated by the increasing ageing of the population and
the labour force. New policy measures to reverse the trend
towards population decline are being recommended. This paper
examines these recent trends in the population of Western Europe,
paying particular attention to the causes and consequences of
fertility decline. Policy implications, including the likelihood of
massive immigration into Western Europe, are also outlined.